Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi addresses a press convention in Lahore, December 28, 2025. — Screengrab by way of YouTube/Geo NewsNaqvi says PCB needs to begin PSL 11 on March 23.PCB chief names Wasim Akram PSL model ambassador.January 8 public sale necessary for cricket board: Naqvi.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday mentioned that the cricket board would “operate Multan Sultans” this yr, with plans to public sale the franchise after the conclusion of the Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) 11.
The announcement comes a month after Ali Tareen mentioned he was parting methods with the PSL franchise as his relations with the PCB had strained over the previous yr.
Addressing a press convention in Lahore, the PCB chief confirmed that the cricket board would function the franchise this yr, saying “the franchise will be auctioned after the PSL concludes”.
Sultans have been initially awarded because the sixth PSL crew to the Schon Group below a $5.2 million settlement, making it the costliest franchise on the time.
Nonetheless, the PCB terminated the settlement after the inaugural season when franchise funds weren’t made.
In 2018, Alamgir Tareen, alongside along with his nephew Ali, acquired the franchise for $6.3 million.
In the meantime, Naqvi mentioned that the board wished to start the upcoming PSL season sooner than deliberate.
“We want to start the PSL from March 23 instead of March 26, and a final decision will be made after consultation with all franchises,” he added.
The PCB chief introduced that former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram had been appointed because the PSL’s model ambassador forward of the upcoming version.
On the league’s enlargement, he mentioned that the bidding for the 2 new PSL groups will happen on January 8 in Islamabad.
“It is an important day for us, and our teams will sell well,” he mentioned, including that ten events have certified for the second spherical of the public sale.
The PCB confirmed the identical a day earlier, saying that its bid committee had shortlisted 10 bidders for the second spherical of the public sale to promote the rights for 2 new groups within the PSL.
The PSL, which started in 2016 with 5 franchises and later expanded to 6 sides in 2018, is ready for additional enlargement with the addition of two new groups from its upcoming eleventh version, set to be performed subsequent yr.
With the upcoming additions, the PSL will endure its first main restructuring in seven years, bringing the overall variety of franchises to eight.
On India-related cricket points, the PCB chief mentioned that no matter occurs with India “will be on an equal footing”.
“If they do not want to shake hands, we have no such desire either,” Naqvi added.
He revealed plans to carry up the conduct of India’s Underneath-19 crew earlier than the Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC).
On crew administration, Naqvi acknowledged {that a} closing resolution on the appointment of the red-ball crew head coach has not but been made, including {that a} PCB crew was at the moment reviewing the matter.
