Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Khan Tareen expressed concerns about the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) commercial sustainability. Tareen criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) financial model, warning that current economic conditions could harm the long-term stability of the franchise system.

His remarks come during an ongoing dispute with the cricket board. Tareen had earlier questioned the league’s transparency, which led to a legal notice from the cricricketcet board. The notice accused him of breaching contract terms and warned of termination of the Multan Sultans franchise agreement.

Tareen posted a video tearing up the PCB legal notice online. In November 2025, he announced that he would not renew his ownership of the Multan Sultans franchise. Tareen stated that he preferred losing the team over operating without dignity.

I Am Slightly Concerned - Ali Khan Tareen on PSL

During PSL 2026, Ali Khan Tareen raised concerns about the lack of jersey sponsors. Tareen noted that several PSL teams signed sponsorship deals after the tournament commenced. He also stated that kit quality dropped after Gym Armour left the PSL.

"As a cricket fan I’m delighted that PSL is on! But as a businessman and former owner I am slightly concerned. The lack of jersey sponsors at the start of the season, with some teams signing deals after the tournament had already started, is a worrying sign," Tareen wrote on X.

"Even the sudden drop in kit quality. (Mostly because major manufacturer Gym Armour has left the scene entirely, but that’s a whole other story). These aren’t isolated issues. Brands simply aren’t willing to pay big money to put a logo on a jersey anymore."

Doesn’t Have the Size to Justify the Franchise Fees - Ali Khan Tareen

Ali Khan Tareen said that companies avoided sponsoring individual PSL teams. He stated that brands do not get enough return on investment from team jerseys. Tareen added that they shifted their budgets to television commercials or sponsored the PSL directly.

"The ones that used to have stopped because the ROI just isn’t there. They either move to sponsoring the league itself instead of a team, or just shift the budget to TV ads. Our economy doesn’t have the size or heat to justify the franchise fees and revenue model most teams are signed up to right now."

Not Sure How Things Will Get Better - Ali Khan Tareen

The Multan Sultans owner alleged that the Pakistan Cricket Board failed to clear broadcast dues owed to franchise owners. Tareen questioned how new Pakistan Super League teams can sustain ongoing financial losses under current economic conditions.

"And factoring in PCB’s unpaid broadcast dues from PSL10 to franchise owners, including me, you have to ask how sustainable this model really is. And how long the new teams will be willing to lose billions upon billions. Not sure how things will get better tbh 🤔"

Tareen’s financial warning cast doubt on the long-term viability of the PSL model. While fans enjoy the matches, franchise owners face growing financial pressure. The PCB must address declining sponsorships and unpaid dues to ensure the league remains stable.

As a cricket fan I’m delighted that PSL is on!

But as a businessman and former owner I am slightly concerned.

The lack of jersey sponsors at the start of the season, with some teams signing deals after the tournament had already started, is a worrying sign.

Even the sudden…

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) April 5, 2026