Latest news with #AliTareen
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSL11 likely to clash with IPL again
Like the 10th edition, the HBL Pakistan Super League season 11 is also likely to take place alongside the Indian Premier League in April-May next year. In that case, the home series against Zimbabwe will have to be rescheduled. Given the limited time, the proposal to hold the tournament this December seems highly difficult to implement. According to details, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is traditionally held in February-March, but this year, due to the ICC Champions Trophy being hosted in Pakistan, the event was pushed to April and May, overlapping with the IPL schedule. Next year, the ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled for February-March, forcing Pakistan to find new dates for its league. A proposal was made to hold the PSL in December-January, but due to unresolved key issues, organizing it that early seems unlikely. During this window, the PCB may instead hold the domestic Pentangular Cup, involving top star cricketers. Earlier this year, it was announced that PSL would be made into a separate company, and Salman Naseer has started working as its CEO. However, no major appointments have been made in other departments yet. With 10 editions now completed, the valuation of the existing six franchise teams will be carried out, following which a 25% increase in franchise fees is expected. Last December, all teams had confirmed in writing their intent to retain ownership. However, Multan Sultans' owner, Ali Tareen, repeatedly voiced concerns about financial losses. He has been silent recently, so it remains unclear whether he will keep the team or go for rebidding. Notably, this team currently pays over one billion rupees annually in fees, making it the most expensive franchise. Similarly, the board had announced the inclusion of two new teams starting from the 11th edition, but no progress has been made on that front either. Sources revealed that the 10-year title sponsorship agreement also needs to be renewed. There will be separate contracts for ground sponsorship in 810 categories, and for both local and international broadcasting. A new deal for live streaming will also be required. Currently, PCB earns about PKR 900 million annually from the title sponsorship. Last year, live streaming rights for Pakistan were sold for approximately PKR 1.8 billion. Local broadcast rights generated around PKR 6.3 billion, while international rights brought in $4.6 million. Ground rights were sold for around PKR 2 billion for two years. For TV production, PCB signed a two-year deal worth $2.25 million annually. Tenders will be issued for all these agreements, followed by lengthy processes. If the current format continues With the inclusion of two new teams, the number of PSL matches will rise from 34 to 54. Consequently, the value of all associated deals is expected to increase by about 30%. However, it is yet to be decided whether the new teams will follow the current financial model or if a new approach will be adopted. Franchise sources confirmed that the board has not yet discussed new teams with them, let alone any financial models. The final dates for PSL 11 have not yet been confirmed, though holding the tournament in April-May next year seems likely. A joint email was sent by franchises requesting a meeting of the PSL Governing Council to discuss key matters of the league. A response is expected in coming days. It's worth noting that the Pakistan team has a home series against Sri Lanka in November, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. December and January have been kept open for domestic events. In February, Australia is scheduled to visit for three T20Is, and the T20 World Cup will follow in February-March. In March, Australia will return for three ODIs, and at the end of March and in April, Pakistan is set to tour Bangladesh for two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Zimbabwe's team is scheduled to tour Pakistan in April-May for three ODIs and three T20Is. To hold the PSL during this window, the PCB will have to reschedule the Zimbabwe series. Sources added that franchises' concerns about scheduling clashes with the IPL have decreased after the 10th edition. However, broadcasters and rights holders still have differing views. Holding PSL alongside IPL in April-May next year is a possibility, but a final decision will be made later.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
IPL On Collision Course With Pakistan Super League In 2026: Details Inside
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) next year is set to clash with the high-profile Indian Premier League as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling to hold the event in the same window as the IPL. The reason being given is that with the ICC World T20 Cup scheduled in February-March next year and some FTP (Future Tours Programme) commitments, it might not be possible again to hold the PSL in its normal window of February-March. "There is a window available to the Pakistan board in December and first half of January but it has already given NOCs to Pakistani players to play in the Big Bash in Australia in this period and has also planned some domestic activities. "So the discussion now with the franchise owners is to prepare for the PSL to be held in April-May just like this year," a source said. An official in the PSL secretariat said that when the PSL was held this year and overlapped with the IPL due to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February-March, there was no effect on the viewership or interest which the PSL normally gets every year. "Initially there was some concern that having the PSL in the same window as the IPL might hit our league but surprisingly viewership figures on TV and other media improved and the franchise owners got a chance to sign on some notable overseas players who were not picked in the IPL auction," he added. With 10 editions now completed, the valuation of the existing six franchise teams will also be carried out before the next PSL and the PCB is thinking about a 25 per cent increase in franchise fees. All the franchise owners except Multan Sultans' owner Ali Tareen, teams have confirmed in writing their intent to retain ownership for the next 10-years but Tareen who pays the highest franchise fee wants a review of all franchise fees as he has concerns over financial losses. The next edition of the event is also significant since the PSL secretariat is also set to invite bids for two more new teams, the work for which has already started. Apparently the PCB also wants that the 10-year title sponsorship agreement also needs to be reviewed and renewed and a new deal for live streaming will also be required. Currently, PCB earns about 900 million rupees annually from the title sponsorship. Last year, live streaming rights for Pakistan were sold for approximately 1.8 billion. Local broadcast rights generated around 6.3 billion, while international rights brought in USD 4.6 million. Ground rights were sold for around PKR 2 billion for two years. For TV production, PCB signed a two-year deal worth USD 2.25 million annually. Tenders will be issued for all these agreements, followed by lengthy processes.
Express Tribune
05-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
What's the problem with Multan Sultans?
This dates back to 2017, when, after the initial success of the PSL, it was decided to add a new team. For the sixth team, PCB signed a deal with Schon Group worth $5.2 milliondouble the price of the then-most expensive team, Karachi Kings ($2.6 million). However, after just their first season, Schon realized they had made a mistake. When the fee wasn't paid, PCB canceled the Super League match tickets In December 2018, Alamgir Tareen, along with his nephew Ali Tareen, bought the team for $6.3 million. Their main aim was simply to acquire the franchise, perhaps without fully considering how they'd cover this higher amount, especially when Schon had already backed out at $5.2 million. Nevertheless, this was a big group with political considerations too, so they absorbed the losses. In 2021, due to certain reasons, Alamgir Tareen became the sole owner. Whatever happened between uncle and nephew are not of our concern. In 2023, after Alamgir's passing, Ali Tareen again became the owner. Currently, the league's 10th season is underway, and even before it started, Ali Tareen began criticizing the financial model. Suddenly, he started pointing out massive flaws in the league and lamenting financial losses. Surprisingly, PCB remained a silent spectator during this time, likely because Ali Tareen belongs to an influential family. He even warned that if the valuation led to higher fees, he would seek rebidding. In another interview, he demanded that Multan's franchise fee be brought down to the same level as Karachi's. Interestingly, back in December when PCB asked the franchises if they wanted to retain ownership, Multanalong with the othersanswered yes. Relations between Salman Naseer and Ali Tareen are also far from ideal. Naseer is now the league's CEO, which complicates things further. After the 10th season, the cricket board will conduct a valuation of all teams, and a minimum 25% fee increase is expected. This could push Multan's annual fee from 1.08 billion rupees to about 1.35 billionclearly a loss-making deal. Ali's complaint might not be entirely wrong, but the timing and tone of his remarks are questionable. His statements have hurt the league's value. Ali Tareen should have voiced these concerns in the Governing Council meetings, but we hear he keeps his mic muted there. Another option was to sit at the negotiation table and explain that his uncle had bought the team, but he couldn't sustain it at this fee and needed reconsideration. While contractually, a fee reduction isn't possible, Salman Naseer is a skilled lawyer who could have found a solution. So, why is Ali Tareen being so aggressive? Recently, two PCB directors, Nadeem Khan and Sami Burney, joined Multan Sultans. Did they give certain advice? Did someone suggest that pressuring PCB through public statements might work? People seem to forget that the current chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is not someone who yields to pressure. Maybe they've shown leniency out of courtesy for now, but that won't last long. This time, Multan Sultans participated in the PSL half-heartedly. The squad was unbalanced, and a string of defeats overshadowed their past successes. If team valuation weren't based on all 10 seasons, Multan would lag behind. It's odd: the team that built a strong brand now faces the biggest losses. Their franchise fee may rise even more in valuations, while those who sit idle all year and only show up during the league will Super League match tickets Ali Tareen's statements have harmed the PSL more than the team's poor performance. You've never seen IPL owners badmouthing their league. The question arises: why did you buy such an expensive team in the first place? Why stay silent while enduring losses, only to complain now after 10 years? PSL franchise owners should realize that they already had wealththis league gave them celebrity status. How many South Punjab politicians do you know? How many businesspeople's names are familiar to you? But the entire world knows the PSL owners' full history. Wherever they go, fans take selfies with them. Many have likely made money from the league too. The real credit goes to those who took risks when no one knew if PSL would even surviveAtif Rana, Sameen Rana, Javed Afridi, Nadeem Omar, Ali Naqvi, and Salman Iqbal. Those who came later had to pay higher fees. Now, two new teams are set to join next year. After Ali Tareen's remarks, will anyone even buy a team for $6.3 million? They might ask: if Multan Sultans are losing so much, how will we recover our costs? One way is for PCB to sell Multan's team at a high price during rebidding, which would raise prices for the next two teams as well. This league was supposed to grow thanks to its owners, but unfortunately, except for a few, others didn't play an active role. Now new deals are due, and the current situation will cause damage. Until the league grows bigger, higher revenues are unlikely. To make it bigger, everyone must stop complaining and sit together to find new solutions. If you can't do that, let the team gobelieve me, many are ready to take over. The decision is yoursjust don't destroy the league.
Express Tribune
30-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Ali Tareen warns HBL PSL will struggle to retain foreign talent due to IPL clash
Listen to article Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has expressed serious concerns over the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) continuing to clash with the Indian Premier League (IPL) calendar. Tareen warned that such scheduling could jeopardize the league's ability to attract and retain top-tier international talent in the coming years. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Tareen acknowledged that the HBL PSL has enjoyed remarkable growth since its launch in 2016, thanks in large part to the participation of global T20 stars like Darren Sammy, Shane Watson, Colin Munro, and Rilee Rossouw. But with the IPL drawing away more and more high-profile players each season, Tareen questioned whether the PSL could continue to compete on that level. 'Can we keep attracting players of this calibre for the next decade if we keep clashing with the IPL window?' he asked. 'Or will we keep losing our top performers to the IPL after a season or two?' While Tareen admitted there was initial support for scheduling HBL PSL games during the IPL season—particularly as a way to carve out its own identity—he now suggests that approach may be doing more harm than good. His remarks have reignited an ongoing debate within Pakistan cricket circles about player availability, global visibility, and the broader commercial impact of competing directly with the IPL—the most lucrative and widely watched T20 league in the world. The concerns come as several foreign players have prioritized IPL contracts over PSL appearances this year, prompting league officials and franchises to reassess recruitment strategies and the overall competitiveness of the PSL on the international stage. New Zealand great Kane Williamson reportedly joined Karachi Kings late due to his commentary commitments with IPL earlier this year, having gone undrafted in the IPL draft. Tareen's post also clarified his own commitment to the Multan Sultans, denying recent rumours of his exit from the franchise. But his candid take on the PSL's scheduling dilemma suggests major strategic discussions could be on the horizon.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
HBL PSL tug-of-war continues off the field
The contract between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the franchises will come to an end with HBL PSL 10. After conducting a valuation, PCB will grant the existing teams the right to remain in the league; however, the franchise fees could increase by 25% or more. The most expensive franchise, Multan Sultans, pays approximately PKR 1.08 billion annually in franchise fees alone, with other expenses being additional. The team suffers heavy losses every year, which is why, even before the current edition, owner Ali Tareen had started voicing concerns about the model. Recently, during a media interaction in Multan, Tareen clearly stated that if the franchise fee is increased, they would consider going for re-bidding. According to sources within the board, when the PCB approached the franchises a few months ago to inquire whether they wished to retain their teams, all franchises, including Multan Sultans, expressed their willingness. However, suddenly, Ali Tareen began making stern statements, which surprised many. It now seems that Tareen is preparing the ground for a major decision or trying to exert pressure on the board to reduce the fees. Board sources mentioned that, according to the agreement, a reduction in the franchise fee is not possible. After the valuation, an increase is inevitable. If Multan Sultans decides to leave, the team will be re-bid, though it is still unclear whether the current owner will be able to participate in that process. If any one franchise is allowed a reduced fee, other teams will also demand the same, a situation that the board cannot accept under any circumstances. Meanwhile, some circles are questioning why the PCB has not taken any action against Ali Tareen for his controversial statements, with no show-cause notice being issued. Sources suggest that after the valuation, the annual franchise fee for Multan Sultans could rise to around PKR 1.5 billion. Consequently, the pressure on PSL authorities will increase to sell two new teams for over PKR 2 billion each. Given the current market conditions, this will be very difficult to achieve. Therefore, if the Sultan's franchise fee is reduced or maintained, it may allow new teams to be sold for a little over PKR 1 billion, which could be a reason for the league's leniency. However, board sources have dismissed this perception, saying, "Why would we devalue our league? If anyone is dreaming of buying a franchise at a low price, they will be disappointed. Many parties, both in Pakistan and abroad, are ready to join the PSL."
