Ali Khan Tareen, the unconventional and outspoken owner of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has concluded his prolonged dispute with the PCB and league officials by deciding to leave the competition. In a note to supporters, he simply wrote, “Goodbye.”
“I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I’m okay with that. But I have always been honest and I have always spoken my mind. I never learned how to play it safe or just play along. That simply isn’t who I am. And if staying means compromising those principles there is only one choice I can make,” he said in an impassioned farewell note to the fans.
“I would rather lose this team while standing on my feet than run it from my knees. So, this is goodbye.”
In his mid-30s, Tareen had long been at odds with the PSL and PCB leadership, often criticizing their policies in the media and on social media. When the PCB issued a show-cause notice demanding a public apology, he made a dramatic display by tearing it up in public, openly challenging their authority.
PCB Denies Extension, Withholds Franchise Valuation From Multan Sultans Owner
Later, during the renewal process, the PCB neither granted him an extension nor shared the franchise valuation conducted by Ernst & Young, despite being contractually obliged to provide such information, as his team had not been officially suspended or terminated.
“Since the franchise agreement had neither been suspended nor terminated, Multan Sultans was a compliant franchise. In this background, by not sharing EY reports as well as a fresh offer letter, the PCB was in breach of contract. Also, the cost of the EY valuation exercise was done through the PSL funds, and Multan Sultans had contributed to this exercise,” a source said.
On September 12, the PSL issued a Notice of Charge to Tareen, to which he responded on October 2. Since then, there appears to have been no further communication from the league’s management, prompting Tareen to foresee the inevitable.
He urged fans to continue supporting the franchise, saying:
“Despite enduring financial losses year after year, I never once considered leaving. The Sultans have always been more than just numbers to me, and I have always been ready to do whatever it takes to safeguard them.”
“Please know that this team has always been much more than its owner. It belongs to you and to South Punjab. So whoever takes control of the Sultans next, please keep supporting them with the same passion. You can count on me to be in the stands supporting them too.”
Tareens bought Multan Sultans in 2018 for $6.3M per year, making it PSL’s priciest franchise; over seven years, they paid $44M in fees and earned only PKR 1.7B from a PKR 7.2B investment.
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