The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has committed to operating Multan Sultans for at least another year to silence critics who claim the franchise operates at a loss.
Speaking at a press conference following Thursday’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise auction in Islamabad, Naqvi addressed widespread speculation about the team’s finances and announced his intention to publish detailed profit figures.
“I took a challenge, and that is that there were a lot of claims on social media that the team was in losses. So I, and all of the team, decided that we will show you how much profit this business offers, publish the numbers before going for the auction,” Naqvi stated.
Naqvi acknowledged mounting pressure to sell the Sultans but maintained that his focus is on proving the franchise’s profitability.
“I’m being pressured to sell the team,” he said in a light-hearted manner.
“But my wish is to operate Multan Sultans for one year, and I’m very much hopeful that we will leave it in profit so the world gets to know that it’s a plus-plus business.”
The auction took place at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, with 10 qualified bidders competing for the two available slots.
Meanwhile, former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen chose not to participate in the auction. Tareen, whose group did not appear on the list of qualified bidders, explained his decision on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the emotional significance of the franchise to his family.
“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote.
“Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. That’s what drove everything we built.”
The PSL completed its historic expansion, adding two new teams to the tournament.
FKS Group acquired the Hyderabad franchise for PKR 1.75 billion, while OZ Developers secured the Sialkot franchise for a record PKR 1.85 billion.
The two teams will join the competition in season 11 alongside the six existing franchises: Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United, and Multan Sultans.