Latest news with #MultanSultans'
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
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
'Rizwan is not captain-material' says Kamran Akmal after Sultans' poor displays
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal has openly criticised Mohammad Rizwan's leadership abilities, declaring him unfit for captaincy and urging the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make a decisive call on his future role. Speaking on a private sports show, Akmal launched a sharp critique of Rizwan's tactics and composure during the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, particularly highlighting Multan Sultans' crushing defeat to Peshawar Zalmi. 'If the Pakistan Cricket Board has the courage, they should make a firm decision and never give such powers to him again,' Akmal said. 'He is simply not captain material.' Akmal's remarks came in the wake of Sultans' humiliating loss to Zalmi, where they were defeated by seven wickets with 42 balls to spare—a performance that sparked questions over team strategy and leadership. 'The way he set up the team against Peshawar and the manner in which they played was beyond comprehension,' he added. Multan Sultans' HBL PSL 10 campaign began on shaky ground with a four-wicket loss to Karachi Kings in the opener, followed by defeats to Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi. They briefly bounced back with a 33-run win over Lahore Qalandars but failed to build momentum, losing their next four matches. With those losses, the 2021 champions became the first team to be knocked out of playoff contention, ending a disappointing campaign that also put Rizwan's leadership under the microscope. Akmal's comments add fuel to an already growing debate around leadership and accountability within the Sultans camp, as fans and analysts continue to dissect what went wrong.
BBC News
05-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Multan's miserable campaign goes on with eighth loss
Multan Sultans' miserable Pakistan Super League campaign continued with a XX-wicket defeat by Peshawar the back of seven defeats in eight matches, Multan were dismissed for 108 in 19.1 reached 60-2 in the ninth but the loss of Tayyab Tahir for 22 sparked a sorry collapse of eight wickets for 48 was the fourth time they have been dismissed for less than 120 in this year's took just 13 overs to complete their chase. Opener Saim Ayub scored 49 and Australian Max Bryant 38 not remain bottom of the table while Peshawar stay fifth with two group stage matches remaining but are now only a point behind the Lahore Qalandars who have played a game PSL fixtures & results, table
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
'Cricket, politics should never mix'
Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan says his team was rightfully eliminated from HBL PSL because it made mistakes. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans' captain Mohammad Rizwan has said that cricket and politics should never mix. Speaking to media in Lahore, he stated, "There should be no politics in cricket. I don't know what's happening between Pakistan and India — I don't use social media." Reflecting on his interactions with international players, Rizwan emphasized the spirit of unity in the cricketing world. "When we meet players like Virat Kohli and Joe Root, we interact like a cricketing family. We learn from them, and they learn from us too," he said. Discussing Multan Sultans' exit from the tournament, Rizwan acknowledged his team's shortcomings. "Team selection is based on conditions. All teams picked spinners, and we were rightfully eliminated because we made mistakes. We couldn't maintain momentum in the fielding department," he admitted. On the pressure of leadership, Rizwan said, "If I say I don't feel pressure, that would be a lie. There is pressure as the captain of Pakistan, and also as Multan's captain. People are watching. We need to accept this pressure and work on our mistakes." Addressing the evolving nature of T20 cricket, he pointed to the importance of adapting to local playing conditions. "People say we need to play modern-day cricket, but what can we do about the conditions? Sometimes in T20s here, we have to play like it's Test cricket. Look at the T20 World Cupscoring even 120 was tough," he explained. Rizwan urged players and fans to focus inward rather than comparing with others. "We shouldn't focus on what others are doing. We must look at what the conditions demand," he said. He also praised other PSL teams and their performances: "Lahore Qalandars have a different kind of passion. Quetta has momentum, and both Karachi and Islamabad have built very good squads." In response to a question about Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi, Rizwan offered words of support: "Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi needs prayersI'll pray for them. If we had taken our catches, we wouldn't be in this situation today." HBL PSL X to observe childhood cancer awareness day The HBL Pakistan Super League, as part of its corporate social responsibility, is once again set to observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Day on 3 May and on this occasion teams, match officials and commentators will be involved in the support of the campaign. HBL PSL Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer: "As part of HBL PSL's corporate social responsibility, we are observing Childhood Cancer Awareness on 3 May. This reflects our commitment to using the platform of cricket to help raise awareness around health challenges that affect many lives across the country. "We are thankful to the teams, players, commentators, fans and media friends for their continued support in promoting these awareness efforts through HBL PSL." The HBL PSL X will see the Childhood Cancer Awareness Day to be observed during Quetta Gladiators and Islamabad United fixture at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. The match will begin at 8:00pm. Match officials and match commentators at the venue will wear gold ribbons, synonymous with Childhood Cancer Awareness campaigns. Gladiators and United players will wear Golden caps as well as gold ribbons. The stumps in use for the match will also be branded in gold, while three cancer patients will be invited at the ground where they will be presented signed shirts from both sides. Additionally, Childhood cancer awareness messages would be displayed on the digital screens placed at the stadium to create awareness about the disease aimed at educating the spectators.
