Ali Tareen Archives

Ali Tareen reacts to Multan Sultans’ return to PSL

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has publicly thanked Gohar Shah for restoring the franchise to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that Gohar Shah-led CD Ventures had taken control of the Sialkot Stallionz franchise, originally purchased by OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during January’s PSL auction.

The development was announced in a joint press conference in Lahore attended by PSL CEO Salman Naseer and OZ Developers’ Hamza Majeed.

Naseer revealed that following the takeover and restructuring, the franchise’s valuation has now risen to Rs 2 billion annually. He also confirmed that, at Shah’s request, Sialkot Stallionz would be rebranded as Multan Sultans.

Taking to his official X account, Ali Tareen reflected on his time with the franchise and the emotional impact of Multan’s removal from the PSL.

“After seven years with Multan Sultans, I left with no regrets. That chapter of my life gave me some of my proudest moments, and I will always be grateful for it,” he wrote.

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“The only moment that truly affected me was when Multan was removed from the league. That hurt. More than anything. Not because of what it meant for me, but because of what it meant for the fans and the people of South Punjab.”

Tareen highlighted the team’s significance for the region, describing the Sultans as more than just a cricket side.

“South Punjab has always been underrepresented. Its people are passionate, talented, and deserve every platform they can get,” he wrote.

“Multan Sultans was never just a cricket team. It was a symbol of pride for an entire region that has long been overlooked.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude to Gohar Shah for reviving the franchise.

“I want to thank Gohar Shah for fighting for the people of South Punjab and bringing Multan Sultans back to the PSL,” he stated.

“The city has its team again. South Punjab has its voice again.”

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Ali Tareen reacts after Multan renamed Rawalpindi

Ali Tareen, former franchise owner of the Multan Sultans — now renamed to Rawalpindi — has shared a meaningful message following the outfit auction held earlier today.

Tareen, who was part of the bidding process but did not submit a single bid for the team, took to the X platform.

“Janoob Ki Pehchan,” he wrote in his post.

Earlier, PSL outfit Multan Sultans was sold to Walee Technologies for a record Rs2.45 billion in a heated bidding war.

The Bidding process commenced at a base price of PKR 1,820,000,000, with CD Ventures, Particle Igniter, and Walee Technologies competing for the franchise.

After an intense bidding war, Walee Technologies bought the franchise for a record price of Rs 2.45 billion.

Later on, the owners changed the name from Multan Sultans to Rawalpindi, citing their childhood association with the city.

During the auction ceremony, PCB chairman Najam Sethi, legendary former Pakistan batter Zaheer Abbas, and other prominent figures from the cricketing fraternity were also present.

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Multan Sultans were added to PSL in 2017, and were initially owned by Schon Group. After one year, PCB terminated the contract, and Ali Tareen formally took over the franchise, which he owned for seven years.

However, his strained relations with PCB led him not to renew the 10-year ownership agreement, resulting in a fresh auction for the team.

The board had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements.

READ: PSL 11: Walee Technologies renames Multan franchise to Rawalpindi

Ali Tareen reveals his strategy for Multan Sultans auction

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has made his position clear ahead of the franchise’s much-anticipated ownership auction, stating he will only reacquire the team if the price is right and not at any cost.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold the auction for the Multan-based franchise on February 9, with Tareen among the five qualified bidders shortlisted by the board’s bid committee.

Addressing speculation over his intentions, Tareen released a video message on Instagram, confirming his participation while urging fans to keep “realistic expectations.”

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“We have submitted our papers, and we are one of the qualified bidders for the team,” Tareen said. “But I want everyone to have realistic expectations and temper them. It’s not a given that I will go for Multan Sultans at any cost.”

Tareen described his seven-year association with the franchise as one of the most memorable chapters of his life, highlighting the emotional connection he still holds with the team and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It has been a privilege to own Multan Sultans for seven years. It has been one of the highlights of my life,” he said. “I love PSL and being part of it, whether I’m in the stands or in the dugout. Maybe I’m a little happier being in the dugout.”

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However, he made it clear that he would not engage in a bidding war simply to regain ownership, stressing that financial prudence will guide his decision.

“If we are getting the team at a good price, then definitely we will buy it. But buying at any cost is not the plan,” he added.

Ali Tareen concluded his message by thanking supporters for their continued backing and enthusiasm to see him return as owner of the Sultans, while once again emphasising the need for realistic expectations ahead of the auction.

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Ali Tareen to participate in Multan franchise auction: reports

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen is reportedly interested in reclaiming the ownership rights of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, sources revealed on Friday.

Tareen, who previously owned the 2021 champions, had opted not to renew the franchise agreement after PSL 10, citing differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

However, insiders now claim that he has decided to participate in the upcoming auction, expected to be held on February 8 or 9, to acquire the South Punjab-based city franchise again.

Sources further revealed that Tareen has already submitted the required documentation to participate in the bidding process.

Notably, Tareen was also among the qualified bidders for the two newly-added PSL franchises earlier this month, but withdrew at the eleventh hour.

The teams were eventually secured by FKS Group and OZ Developers, who later announced their franchises as Hyderabad and Sialkot, respectively.

Following his withdrawal, Tareen took to the social media platform X to explain his decision, while reflecting on what the Multan Sultans meant to him beyond cricket.

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“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” he had written.

“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,” he added.

Tareen also hinted that any return to the PSL would remain tied to the same emotional connection.

“If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home. This year, I’ll be in the stands, cheering for the players and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we’ll be ready,” he stated.

“Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win,” he concluded.

Interestingly, the PCB had not initially planned to auction the Multan franchise this year.

However, after the successful sale of the two new teams, which were acquired for record prices, the board has reportedly decided to also auction Multan Sultans’ ownership rights ahead of the landmark PSL 11 season.

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Ali Tareen reveals reason for not participating in PSL teams auction

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has opened up about his decision to sit out the auction for two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises ahead of season 11, which is scheduled to take place today at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

Tareen, whose group was notably absent from the list of 10 qualified bidders, took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the move, emphasizing the emotional connection his family shared with the Multan Sultans franchise.

“After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction,” Tareen wrote.

He further stressed that any potential return to the PSL would have to honor the same purpose.

“If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason. South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home,” he added.

While Tareen confirmed he will be cheering from the stands this season, he left the door open for acquiring the Multan franchise in the future.

“This year, I’ll be in the stands. Cheering for players on and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we’ll be ready,” he said.

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Ali Tareen concluded his message by wishing the best to all the bidders: “Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled all 10 qualified bidders ahead of the auction, starting with Inverex Solar Energy, followed by OZ Group of Companies, VGO TEL Mobile, Jazz, DSM, i2c, Prism Estate & Builders, Walee, and finally, USA-based Aim Next Inc. and Southeast Asian holding company FKS.

Meanwhile, the Multan Sultans franchise will be run by the PCB during the PSL 11.

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Tareen among bidders in race for new PSL teams: reports

LAHORE: Ali Tareen, the previous owner of the Multan Sultans is among the bidders for the new Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises after the completion of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) technical evaluation.

The auction for the league’s first major expansion will be held on 8 January at the Jinnah Convention Centre in the Federal Capital, Islamabad.

According to media reports, Tareen Group is also among the confirmed bidders in the race for new teams.

Previously, he acquired Multan Sultans in 2018, one of the PSL’s most expensive franchises.

However, due to strained relations with PCB over financial and renewal terms, Tareen decided not to renew the contract, resulting in the board taking over the Multan Sultans.

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At the end of 2025, Ali Tareen announced his intention to leave Multan Sultans, making him eligible to bid for one of the new outfits of the tournament.

As per reports, Inverex Group, Karachi-based VGO TEL, and the OZ Group are also among the bidders to buy the new teams in PSL.

Once successful bidders are confirmed, they will have the opportunity to select a home city from the PCB’s approved list, which includes Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Super League, which began in 2016 with five outfits, is set to expand with the addition of two new teams.

Notably, the league expanded to five teams in 2018 with the addition of Multan Sultans. With the addition of two new franchises, the league will undergo its first major restructuring in seven years, taking the total to eight teams.

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Ali Tareen decides not to renew Multan Sultans’ PSL franchise rights

Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has decided not to renew the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise rights for the next decade.

The announcement came via Tareen’s social media account, where he shed light on the decision.

“Being part of this team has been one of the greatest honours of my life. I love the fans, I love this team, and I absolutely love being able to represent South Punjab. Something my late uncle Alamgir Tareen was especially proud of,” he said.

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“Every season, I would tell our players and staff what it means to represent this region: a place full of people who work hard, fight for their rights, and push through challenges every single day,” he continued.

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“I would rather lose this team while standing on my feet than run it from my knees. So, this is goodbye,” Tareen concluded.

For the unversed, this comes after all five other outfits of PSL officially confirmed that they had extended their ownership rights for the next 10 years.

All five teams of the tournament—Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators following a successful evaluation under the updated market valuation determined by Ernst & Young, one of the world’s most credible and respected audit and advisory firms, as per PCB.

Ali Tareen’s departure stems from a rift between PCB and Multan Sultans. The board had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements.

A month earlier, Ali Tareen responded with a sarcastic apology video, criticising the board’s management and communication approach.

Notably, he also wrote a letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, acknowledging the tensions and proposing structural reforms.

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Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen proposes reforms to take PSL to next level

LAHORE: Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen have submitted a proposal to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to strengthen the tournament through better governance, transparency, and partnerships.

This comes after the rift between PCB and Multan Sultans. The board had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements.

Following the PCB notice, Ali Tareen responded with a sarcastic apology video, criticising the board’s management and communication approach.

Now, Tareen has written a letter to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, acknowledging the recent tensions and aiming to rebuild trust through structural reforms.

Tareen reasserted the franchise’s long-standing commitment to the league and highlighted the concerns regarding ad hoc decision-making.

He further stressed the need for better management experience and called for institutional processes and accountability.

Among the four key reforms are franchise representation on PSL committees and working groups. Moreover, the letter also mentions Formal inclusion of every franchise so policies reflect the league’s collective experience across scheduling, recruitment, ticketing, marketing, and match-day operations.

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The proposal also notes the need to establish a structured approach for franchises to add value to each part of the PSL’s planning and implementation.

Ali Tareen also urged the board to look at franchise participation in defining roles, vetting candidates, and providing input prior to selection to improve merit-based recruitment and professional standards.

“The PSL can attract top regional talent and should not rely primarily on current or former PCB employees,” the letter read.

“A clear organizational chart with defined departments for operations, marketing, fan engagement, player affairs, and finance, led by a qualified executive team,” it added.

Tareen also emphasized monthly meetings in the proposal to increase mutual collaboration.

“Monthly meetings on fixed dates with agendas circulated in advance, minutes recorded and shared, and action points tracked across finances, operations, marketing, ticketing, player affairs, and fan engagement. This will increase accountability and collaboration.”

The franchise aimed to take PSL to the next level by aligning with all stakeholders.

“The proposal emphasizes partnership over control and aligns all stakeholders around the shared goal of building a globally respected league for Pakistan and its fans.

After a successful decade, Multan Sultans feel it is time to take the PSL to the next level,” it concluded.

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WATCH: Ali Tareen responds to PCB’s legal notice with apology video

Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has issued a sarcastic video “apology” after receiving a legal notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over alleged violations of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise agreement.

The PCB had accused Tareen of breaching several clauses of the 10-year contract and demanded a public apology and retraction of his statements, warning of possible termination of the franchise’s contract and his blacklisting from the league.

In a video shared on his social media accounts, Tareen acknowledged the notice but responded with biting irony, criticising the PCB’s management and communication approach while ostensibly complying with the demand for an apology.

He said the board never attempted to resolve the matter through direct discussion.

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“I didn’t receive a single call, message, email, or invitation to meet and sort things out,” Tareen remarked. “Instead, I was served a legal notice. If you were more competent, you’d know these matters aren’t handled this way.”

Ali Tareen accused the PCB’s management of being surrounded by “yes-men” and unable to take criticism.

“The PSL belongs to the fans and to all of Pakistan, not just a handful of people currently running it,” he added.

While stating that his legal team saw no reason to issue an apology, Tareen said he would still offer one “because I want the PSL to improve.”

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His apology, however, was laced with sarcasm as he reiterated earlier grievances about the league’s professionalism and management.

He “apologised” for criticising the PSL’s opening ceremony, mockingly praising the “amazing” lip-syncing performances and noting that expecting the event to “start and finish on time” or have “a working mic” might have been asking “too much.”

Tareen also referenced minor complaints cited in the notice, apologising for being ten minutes late to a Zoom meeting and for his remarks about the league’s logistics, sarcastically highlighting how “half of the team was in one hotel and the other half in another.”

The video concluded with Tareen tearing up the legal notice, marking a dramatic end to his “apology.” “So, I hope you like my apology video,” he said.

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Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen proposes formation of board to drive PSL growth

LAHORE: Ali Tareen, the owner of Multan Sultans, has proposed forming a board to promote the future growth of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

While speaking during the match between Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars, Ali proposed forming a board to foster the league’s growth.

“If we are stuck in one place, we will not grow. A formal board should be established after PSL Season 10 to draft a strategy to take the league to the next level,” he said.

“I’m not claiming that everything has failed or been destroyed, but we should revitalize so we can grow collectively,” he added.

Addressing ticketing concerns, Tareen pointed out that online tickets often show as sold out in Multan but become available just before matches.

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“Online tickets often show as sold out in Multan, but they become available just before the matches. There should be an investigation into this matter,” he said.

Ali Tareen expressed his commitment to Multan’s Sultans, saying he is not looking to sell the franchise despite incurring financial losses.

“We are not looking to sell; we have heavily invested in this team. Although we have faced, and are still facing significant financial loss, we aim to acquire the franchise next year at the same valuation,” said Ali Tareen.

He reiterated that he is not looking to leave the Multan Sultans, stating that they want to rebid next season.

“There is no chance we will leave Multan Sultans. We just want to rebid on the franchise at a fair valuation,” he concluded.

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A few days earlier, Ali Tareen echoed similar sentiments, stating that they were reassessing their franchise agreement, but there are no immediate plans to exit.

“I never said I’m abandoning Multan Sultans,” Tareen said. “We are simply exploring options to re-evaluate our franchise agreement after the tenth edition of the HBL PSL.” he remarked.

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