PCB threatens to terminate Multan Sultans over Ali Tareen’s public criticism

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a legal notice to HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans last month, threatening to terminate the team’s contract and blacklist owner Ali Tareen.

According to sources close to the franchise, PCB demanded Tareen to apologize for his public remarks targeting the HBL PSL management, its affairs and the overall health of the league.

The notice, issued by PCB’s legal department, warned that Tareen’s continued criticism of the board and its administration on social media and other public forums constituted a breach of the franchise agreement.

Franchise expected to issue statement

When contacted, Multan Sultans officials did not deny the reports but said the franchise will issue a formal statement later today. The response is expected to clarify the team’s position and address questions over its standing in the league.

Some media reports suggested that the PCB could revoke the franchise's rights and find new ownership ahead of the 11th edition of the HBL PSL if the issue remains unresolved.

Tareen’s continuous criticism

Tareen has been among the most vocal HBL PSL stakeholders in recent months, frequently sharing his frustration over what he described as poor management, lack of innovation, and stagnation within the league.

On X (formerly Twitter), he posted several critical messages, calling out complacency and mismanagement in the HBL PSL’s structure.

In a series of posts since April, Tareen has questioned the PCB’s planning and strategy for the tournament. The Sultans’ owner has pointed to declining TV viewership, falling attendance, and slow digital growth, urging the board to develop a long-term vision for the league.

“Doing the bare minimum each year has led to this,” he wrote in June, while another post in July criticized the board for “celebrating” PSL’s success despite falling metrics.

Tareen’s criticism intensified in recent weeks, with one post in early October joking that if he ever bought a new team, he would name it the “ ____ Snakes” in honor of the current PSL management.

However, a few days later, he clarified that his issue was with the league’s administration, not with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, saying the latter was “surrounded by snakes who are leading him astray.”

Growing rift between PCB and franchise

The latest development highlights growing friction between the PCB and some PSL franchises, mainly Multan Sultans, over governance, commercial rights, and decision-making authority. The board’s response to Tareen’s criticism could set a precedent for how it handles dissent within the league’s structure going forward.

Multan Sultans are currently one of the league’s most valuable franchises, reportedly paying an annual fee of $6.35 million - the highest among all teams. The PCB is set to review all franchise contracts ahead of the new media rights cycle and the planned expansion of the league, with two new teams expected to join the 11th edition.

Tareen, who took over full control of the franchise in 2023 after the passing of his uncle, Alamgir Khan Tareen, has been pushing for reforms in the league’s management.