A fresh controversy has erupted in Pakistan cricket after Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen publicly lashed out at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management, accusing it of “mediocre thinking” following a legal notice threatening his franchise’s suspension for alleged breach of contract.
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The PSL management issued the notice earlier on Thursday, citing repeated public remarks by Tareen that criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the league’s management. The notice reportedly demanded a public apology to prevent legal action, but the move appears to have deepened the rift between the two sides.
In response, Tareen released a video message on X, holding what appeared to be the legal notice. He expressed disappointment at the PSL’s handling of criticism, saying that he wanted to apologise but could not ignore the league’s unwillingness to embrace growth. Toward the end of the video, he dramatically tore up the notice, symbolising his frustration with the management’s attitude.
Tareen’s feud with the PSL dates back months. In April, he had shared a podcast clip questioning the PCB’s pre-season preparations, asking what made PSL 10 “bigger and better.” He argued that the league had failed to introduce innovation and accused the management of recycling old ideas. His comments quickly drew backlash from other franchise owners.
Soon after, Tareen clarified his stance, saying that his intention was not to create division but to inspire improvement. “I love PSL — it’s a made-in-Pakistan success story,” he wrote. “My words were about pushing for real growth. Let’s unite and make the league stronger.”
However, the situation reignited in July when Tareen again criticised the PCB after it posted a video celebrating the “success” of PSL 10. He pointed to falling TV ratings, declining attendance, and slower digital engagement, arguing that there was little to celebrate. “PSL deserves better planning, not self-congratulation,” he remarked.
According to a PCB source, Tareen’s repeated public criticism violated clauses of the franchise agreement by “damaging the league’s reputation.” The board’s legal notice reportedly outlines these breaches in detail and warns of possible suspension or lifetime disqualification from owning any cricket team.
In its official statement, the Multan Sultans management confirmed that the PCB had indeed sent a legal notice but clarified that it was “not a notice of termination.” The franchise argued that Tareen’s statements were made in the best interest of the league, urging the management to focus on innovation and long-term growth.
“Every statement he has made has been about strengthening the PSL,” the statement read. “For the PCB management to treat constructive criticism as a crime is outrageous. Silencing honest feedback is not how great leagues are built.”
The incident has once again highlighted the fragile relationship between the PCB and PSL franchises. Several stakeholders within the league have privately expressed frustration over inconsistent communication and lack of transparency from the board.
As the issue unfolds, fans and analysts are watching closely to see whether this dispute will push the PCB to revisit its approach toward franchise relations — or further strain the image of Pakistan’s premier T20 tournament.
