PCB invites bids for Multan Sultans ahead of PSL 11, calling it a “New Era” opportunity

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially opened the door for potential investors to acquire the franchise rights of Multan Sultans, ahead of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In an advertisement released in national newspapers on Wednesday, the PCB invited “interested parties” to submit bids for the Multan franchise, describing it as a chance to join what it called a “new era” of the league. The board highlighted that Multan Sultans, which joined the PSL in 2018, has already built a strong fan base and competitive presence, presenting a “compelling opportunity” for new owners to elevate the team to “unprecedented heights.”

According to the PCB, parties wishing to participate must obtain the bid documents and submit technical proposals by January 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with the proposals to be opened the same day. Only technically qualified bidders will advance to the next stage of the process. For official queries, the PCB has directed interested parties to contact psl@pcb.com.pk, cautioning that information from other sources will not be recognized.

The move follows remarks by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has pledged to transform Multan Sultans into a profitable franchise before its sale. Addressing a ceremony last week for the auction of the PSL’s seventh and eighth teams, Naqvi said the franchise had been unfairly labeled as a “loss-hit” entity on social media, but vowed to demonstrate its commercial potential.

“I took a challenge, and that is that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses,” Naqvi said. “So I, and all of the team, decided that we would show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction.”

The PCB will operate Multan Sultans for the upcoming PSL 11 season before handing it over to new owners. While there had been suggestions to auction the team alongside the two newly sold franchises, Naqvi opted to retain control for one more year to showcase its profitability.

This development comes amid a period of rapid growth for the PSL. Hyderabad and Sialkot were officially confirmed as the league’s seventh and eighth franchises following a recent expansion auction, marking the first time the competition will feature eight teams.

The 11th edition of the PSL, set to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, promises an extended period of competitive T20 cricket, offering fans across Pakistan and abroad a full season of high-octane action.