PCB prepares contingency for Multan Sultans amid dispute with Tareen

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is preparing a contingency plan for the Multan Sultans franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) amid an escalating conflict between the board and the team’s owner, Ali Khan Tareen.

Sources have confirmed that the PCB has been in talks with potential investors to purchase the franchise if the issues with its current management remain unresolved. There are reports that a couple of investors have expressed interest in taking over the Sultans should the ongoing disputes with the franchise’s management lead to the cancellation of its membership. The board is determined to resolve any issues swiftly and move to finalise the sale to new owners as soon as possible.

While the board is working to avoid any disruption to the PSL, it is keen to ensure that no action is taken that could tarnish the reputation of the league, especially as the season’s valuation process approaches.

DETERIORATING RELATIONS

The rift between PCB and the Sultans’ management has been widening in recent months. Allegedly, the PCB has become increasingly frustrated with Ali Tareen’s outspoken criticisms of the league’s operations. Tareen, known for his unfiltered comments on social media, has frequently targeted the PCB’s management, particularly during PSL 10, which took place in May this year.

The PCB also recently sent a legal notice to Tareen, demanding a public apology for his critical comments about the league. PCB said that the notice outlined multiple alleged breaches of the PSL franchise agreement and warned of severe consequences, including termination of the franchise’s contract and a lifetime ban for Tareen, should he fail to comply.

‘ROASTING APOLOGY’

However, Ali Tareen responded with a roasting apology. In a widely-shared video posted on his social media, Tareen responded to the PCB’s legal notice with a sarcastic apology that turned the tables on the board. He mocked the PCB’s approach to handling criticism and outlined several of the league’s issues in his signature tongue-in-cheek style.

“I’m sorry for expecting the PSL opening ceremony to start on time or for thinking microphones should actually work,” Tareen quipped. He also joked about being late to a Zoom meeting, one of the charges in the PCB’s notice, before launching into a critique of the PSL’s logistics and management.

Tareen’s video ended with him tearing up the legal notice, signing off with the line, “I hope you like my apology video.”

Ali Khan Tareen, son of industrialist and former member of the National Assembly, Jahangir Khan Tareen, acquired Multan Sultans in December 2018 after the previous owners, Schon Properties, failed to pay the franchise fee. Tareen, alongside his uncle Alamgir Tareen, took over the franchise, and following Alamgir’s tragic passing in May 2025, Ali became the sole owner.