Tensions between Ali Tareen, the owner of Multan Sultans, and Pakistan Super League (PSL) management have escalated, with Tareen accusing PSL officials of cutting off communication regarding the renewal and valuation of the franchise. He has now threatened legal action if the issue remains unresolved.
The conflict has been brewing for some time, with PSL recently taking legal steps against Tareen. His response to the legal action was dismissive, which has now led to PSL withholding the renewal agreement from the Sultans’ ownership.
In a strongly worded statement, Tareen revealed that his team had been trying to get answers for over a month, sending numerous emails, legal notices, and even a formal letter to the PCB Chairman, all of which went unanswered.
The Sultans argue that the issue is simple: PSL has failed to provide them with the valuation report or the renewal letter, while all other franchises have already received these documents.
Tareen’s team claims they have received no response to their legal correspondence, emails, or letters to the Chairman, nor any explanation for why Multan is being excluded from the process. Representatives from other franchises have also questioned why one of PSL’s most successful teams in recent years is being sidelined.
Tareen expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing that they initially sought to resolve the issue privately. However, with no response from PSL management, the franchise feels compelled to take further action.
“If this ghosting continues, we will have no choice but to take legal action, which is the absolute last thing we want to do,” his statement read. He also noted that the dispute was unnecessary and could have been easily resolved in a more amicable manner, blaming personal egos for the breakdown in communication.
The situation is particularly concerning with the eleventh edition of PSL approaching, as the league is set to feature an expanded field. A legal battle or continued administrative issues could add further complications to a league already plagued by internal conflicts and management turnover.
For PSL, a competition renowned for its cricketing quality, the optics of a franchise feeling ignored by its own governing body raise serious questions about transparency and governance.
With Multan Sultans signaling their readiness for legal action, the pressure is now on PSL and the PCB to resolve the situation before it spirals into a legal confrontation.
