Multan Sultans owner Ali Khan Tareen has boldly challenged a legal notice from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which accused him of violating several clauses in their 10-year contract.
The current ownership rights for PSL teams are set to expire in December, necessitating a re-bidding process for existing owners to retain their franchises.
The Multan Sultans organization revealed that the PCB threatened their owner with a lifetime ban unless he issued a public apology for his criticisms of the PSL management. Ali Khan Tareen has been an outspoken critic over the past year, particularly regarding what he perceives as a lack of clear communication and transparency.
In a statement, Multan Sultans shared, “The PCB last month sent a legal notice to Multan Sultans, demanding that our owner Ali Tareen retracts all recent critical statements and issues a public apology to the PSL management. The notice threatens termination of our franchise agreement and a lifetime blacklist of Mr. Tareen from owning any cricket team in the future.”
The statement continued, “For the PCB management to treat constructive criticism as a crime is outrageous. It demonstrates the pettiness of the current management and clearly shows that the PSL is not open to questions or accountability, even from those who have given the most to make it stronger. Silencing honest feedback is not how great leagues are built. His commitment to Pakistani cricket is unwavering, and his only goal is to help the PSL reach the level its players and fans deserve.”
This potential blacklisting would effectively bar Ali Khan Tareen from participating in the upcoming re-bidding process for the Multan Sultans once the existing contract concludes. Despite these severe repercussions, Tareen remains resolute in his challenge to the PCB management’s decisions.
Tareen subsequently posted a video response on social media, where he specifically addressed the absence of direct communication channels between the PCB management and the various franchises.
In the video, Ali Khan Tareen stated, “Instead I was served a legal notice. If you were more competent, you would know these matters aren’t handled this way.”
While acknowledging that his legal team found no grounds for an apology, Tareen indicated that he would consider apologizing if it genuinely benefited the PSL. He concluded his video by dramatically tearing up the legal notice and declaring, “So, I hope you like my apology video.”