PSL 11th edition: Multan Sultans auction heats up, PCB confirms six bids

MULTAN: The auction for the Multan Sultans franchise is gathering momentum as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed six serious bids on Monday being received for the popular Pakistan Super League (PSL) team.

The PCB officially issued an advertisement for the sale of the Multan-based franchise on January 14, inviting interested parties to submit applications. Since then, six bidders have come forward, signalling strong commercial and investor interest in one of the league’s most competitive teams.

PCB completes technical evaluation for the sale of Multan Sultans as five bidders – including previous owners – qualify for the auction stage ✅

The date and venue for the Auction will be shared in due course by the PCB 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/Toa742b2No

— Cricwick (@Cricwick) February 2, 2026

Currently, the PCB is conducting a detailed technical review of all applications. Only those bidders who meet the required technical criteria will move forward to the next stage of the auction process. The board is expected to announce the final date for the auction soon, heightening anticipation among fans and stakeholders.

The move to accelerate the franchise sale comes ahead of PSL 11, departing from earlier plans to hold the auction after the season. Sources indicate that strong investor response during the recent auctions for the newly added Hyderabad and Sialkot franchises influenced this fast-tracked approach.

The future of Multan Sultans will also feature in a virtual meeting of the PSL Governing Council on January 15, where representatives from all eight franchises will discuss league expansion, player recruitment policies, and commercial strategies. Proposals on direct player signings, player retention, and incentives for new franchises are also expected to be reviewed.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had previously announced that the board would temporarily manage Multan Sultans to ensure continuity ahead of the upcoming season. The confirmation of six bids, however, indicates that the sale could be finalised well before PSL 11 begins, reflecting growing investor confidence in the league.

With the players’ draft scheduled for January 30, the coming weeks promise a flurry of activity in PSL planning and franchise decisions, keeping fans and cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.