While cricket fans in India are used to the smooth, high-stakes auctions of the IPL, things took an unexpected and dramatic turn during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) expansion auction in Islamabad. The PSL, which is attempting to grow from six to eight franchises, hit a significant snag when one of its most high-profile potential owners, Ali Khan Tareen, pulled out at the very last minute.
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Tareen, the former owner of the Multan Sultans, was widely expected to be the biggest bidder at the Jinnah Convention Centre. However, just hours before the hammer could fall, he sent shockwaves through the cricketing community by announcing his withdrawal. His reason? A deep-seated loyalty to his roots in South Punjab that outweighed the business opportunity of owning a new PSL franchise in a different city.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) to explain his decision to the fans, Tareen wrote:
"After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today's PSL franchise auction. Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too long. This sense of purpose guided everything we built. If I come back to PSL, it has to be for the same reason.
South Punjab is where my heart is. It is home. This year, I'll be in the stands. Cheering for players and celebrating with the fans. And when the Multan team is being sold, we'll be ready. Wishing all the bidders the best. May the most outspoken owner win!"
After careful consideration, my family and I have decided not to participate in today’s PSL franchise auction.
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) January 8, 2026
Our time with Multan Sultans was never just about owning a cricket team. It was about South Punjab. About giving a voice to a region that had been overlooked for too…
While nine other bidders remain in the hunt for teams representing cities like Sialkot and Faisalabad in the upcoming PSL seasons, Tareen’s exit definitely changes the energy of the expansion. It’s a rare moment in modern sports where an owner prioritises regional identity and emotional connection over simply winning a bid. For now, he remains a spectator, waiting for the day he can represent his "home" once again.
