The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to receive more than Rs. 2 billion from the sale of the Multan Sultans franchise, with strong interest already shown by multiple local and foreign parties ahead of the auction.
According to sources, several potential buyers have expressed serious interest even before the bidding process, while the former owners of Multan Sultans are also keen to regain ownership of the team.
The franchise agreement was not extended earlier due to disputes between the PCB and the previous owners. Initially, the PCB announced that it would manage Multan Sultans itself for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, after the successful sale of two new teams at high prices, the board revised its decision.
Hyderabad was sold for Rs. 1.75 billion, while Sialkot was awarded a franchise at an annual fee of Rs. 1.85 billion. Following these deals, the PCB issued an advertisement for the sale of Multan Sultans. The deadline for submitting technical bids is Friday.
Sources said that interest in acquiring the franchise has been strong, with two companies reportedly willing to bid up to Rs. 2 billion. The final decision, however, will be made through a competitive auction.
It is noteworthy that the former owners have also expressed interest in buying back the team. They had also participated in the bidding process for the two new franchises. During that process, the PCB informed them that their outstanding dues must be cleared, or they would be disqualified. The amount was deposited immediately.
At the time, the former owners asked whether they could choose a team name outside the options provided by the PCB. They were told this would be possible only after depositing a $1 million fee, subject to PCB approval. However, minutes before the auction, they withdrew from the bidding.
Sources further revealed that the former owner later met a senior PCB official and requested that the franchise be returned for Rs. 1.35 billion, arguing that the team rightfully belonged to them.
PCB officials rejected the request, stating that ownership had ended and that the only way to regain the franchise was to participate in the auction and submit the highest bid.
After the PCB officially announced the auction, certain stakeholders questioned why the board had decided to sell the team this year, especially after earlier stating that it would operate the franchise itself. PCB officials, however, stood by their decision.
The name of the new Multan Sultans owner is expected to be announced in the coming days. The franchise’s previous annual fee was approximately Rs. 1.08 billion.
