A New Era: Rawalpindi Replaces Multan in Record-Breaking PSL Deal
The landscape of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) changed forever on Monday evening at the Expo Centre in Lahore. In a star-studded auction that felt more like a high-stakes drama than a corporate meeting, Walee Technologies emerged as the new titans of the league. The tech and media giant secured the rights to the former Multan franchise for a staggering Rs2.45 billion—a record-shattering fee that officially makes it the most expensive team in the history of the HBL PSL.
The auction was not just about the money; it was about a total identity shift. Shortly after the winning bid was finalized, Walee CEO Ahsan Tahir dropped a bombshell that left the cricket world buzzing: the beloved Multan Sultans brand is being dissolved. Starting with the upcoming PSL 11 season, the team will relocate and compete as Rawalpindi.
The Bidding War at the Expo Centre
The atmosphere was electric as PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi officially opened the floor with a base price of Rs1.82 billion. Five corporate heavyweights, including CD Ventures and Particle Igniter, entered the fray. However, the most notable absence was former owner Ali Tareen’s Deharki Sugar Mills, which refrained from placing a single bid, marking a quiet end to their successful tenure with the franchise.
The battle eventually boiled down to a two-horse race between CD Ventures and Walee Technologies. Bids flew back and forth, quickly surpassing the Rs2 billion mark. After several strategic timeouts and intense deliberation, Walee returned with a final, decisive offer of Rs2.45 billion. This bid doesn’t just cover the purchase; it also includes the annual franchise fee for the next decade, securing Rawalpindi’s place in the league for the long haul.
Why the Move to Rawalpindi?
The decision to rebrand an established champion like Multan Sultans was met with mixed emotions. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi admitted that while the Multan brand was “close to his heart,” he could not dictate terms to an owner investing such a massive sum. For Walee Technologies, the move is deeply personal. The ownership group has strong ties to Rawalpindi and believes the city’s passionate cricket culture and the iconic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium provide the perfect foundation for a “New Era” in the PSL.
As the league prepares for a new auction-based player system and expands to eight teams (including the newly added Sialkot and Hyderabad franchises), the birth of the Rawalpindi team signals a massive shift in the league’s commercial power. Fans can expect a formal unveiling of the new logo, colors, and squad strategy in the very near future.
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