PSL Governing Council to discuss key issues in meeting: sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) Governing Council is scheduled to hold a crucial meeting on Thursday, sources told Geo News on Sunday.

This will be the first meeting following the inclusion of two new franchises, bringing the total number of teams to eight. The session is expected to be conducted virtually.

According to sources, several important issues related to the 11th edition of the tournament are likely to be discussed.

Key topics may include player retention, the players' draft, auction-related matters and the tournament schedule. Discussions could also cover increasing player salaries and finalising direct signings.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly still aiming to commence PSL 11 on 23 March, instead of the previously proposed date of 26 March.

Sources added that the timing of the Sport Parade could pose challenges due to Eid celebrations. Franchise representatives are also expected to be consulted regarding the league's start date.

Meanwhile, sources have claimed that the PCB will auction the Multan Sultans franchise, following strong valuations in the recent sale of two new teams.

Last month, the PCB announced it would assume control of Multan Sultans after the expiry of its ownership agreement on 31 December 2025. 

Under the plan, the board would operate the franchise for one year before putting it up for auction in 2027.

If implemented, this arrangement is expected to save the PCB around $4 million in a year, as it would not need to contribute $3 million from the central pool or an additional $1 million in sponsorship funds. 

However, an audit report noted that the board would forgo the $8.5 million franchise fee for that year.

In November, Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen announced on social media that he was stepping away from the franchise. 

Sources indicate that relations between Tareen and the PCB had been strained over the past year, eventually reaching a point of no return.

Multan Sultans were originally awarded as the sixth PSL team to the Schon Group under a $5.2 million agreement, making it the most expensive franchise at the time—double the acquisition cost of Karachi Kings, which was $2.6 million.

The decision to auction the team comes as the PCB secured strong valuations in the sale of two new franchises, Hyderabad and Sialkot, bringing the total number of teams in PSL 11 to eight.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed during a media conference on 28 December that the board will operate Multan Sultans for the upcoming 11th edition of the PSL, scheduled from 26 March to 3 May 2026, before initiating the auction process.

"Multan Sultans will be operated by the PCB this year. Once the PSL concludes, we will carry out the auction and put the franchise up for sale. For this season, the board will run the Sultans," Naqvi said.

He added that an interim management structure would be appointed soon.

"We will appoint an acting head within the next eight to ten days to oversee the team. A professional cricketer will also be brought in to manage Multan Sultans for this season," he said.

The PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018, is set to grow further with the addition of two new franchises for its 11th edition.

The historic auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on Thursday, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers secure ownership of the Hyderabad and Sialkot franchises for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively.