Sultans franchise moves from Multan to Rawalpindi after record Rs2.45bn sale to Walee Technologies in PSL 11 auction

[The Bald Eagle]

The PSL 11 auction reached a historic milestone as the former Multan Sultans franchise was sold for a record Rs2.45 billion. The event, inaugurated by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and hosted by Fakhre Alam, saw five shortlisted bidders compete after a base price of Rs1.82 billion was set. The winning bid came from Walee Technologies, who immediately announced that the team would be rebranded as Rawalpindi.

This sale follows Ali Tareen’s decision not to renew his decade-long ownership after PSL 10. While the PCB initially planned to manage the team themselves, they opted for a public auction that far exceeded market expectations. Chairman Naqvi noted that the successful bid silenced critics who doubted the franchise could even reach Rs1 billion, reinforcing the PCB’s vision to transform the PSL into a premier global sporting event.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020864897551106059

 

[Major]

Multan Sultan got sold to Walee Tech, they had the option to change the name and city, they opted for Rawalpindi

Out of no where Rawalpindi has bagged their own team.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Its a huge city, about time it has a team. Finally can support my local team. Pindi already has a stadium, so no brainer.

Rams is a good name.

 

[Major]

Its a huge city, about time it has a team. Finally can support my local team. Pindi already has a stadium, so no brainer.

Rams is a good name.

Ur from a Pindi??? You never shared stories man

I want the team called Pindi Boys and have a pink funky outfit that Pindi is known for.

And we need a sponsor of Honda CD 70 on the front.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

How did that happen ? Does this mean that there won't be matches in Multan in the PSL?

 

[shahidafridi123]

Huh? So Multan will only host away away teams??

 

[KingKhanWC]

Ur from a Pindi??? You never shared stories man

I want the team called Pindi Boys and have a pink funky outfit that Pindi is known for.

And we need a sponsor of Honda CD 70 on the front.

lol. I stick to driving a car, those cd 70's arent driven around Pindi in a safe manner. My Uncle/Auntie live in Pindi, visiting yearly as a child I prefered to stay with them instead of Islamabad, found Pindi very vibrant and a lot of fun.

I think you're right it will be called Pindi Boys, looking forward to buying the top!

 

[Major]

Pindi Boys should be there in the name and Akhtar needs to be there aswell.

I want the song Lungi dance to be altered into Pindi Boys, same jingle, but change the lyrics by mentioning Pindi legends.

 

[Major]

lol. I stick to driving a car, those cd 70's arent driven around Pindi in a safe manner. My Uncle/Auntie live in Pindi, visiting yearly as a child I prefered to stay with them instead of Islamabad, found Pindi very vibrant and a lot of fun.

I think you're right it will be called Pindi Boys, looking forward to buying the top!

bro when u do come to Pindi, do hear out my recommendations for food around here next time.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

How did that happen ? Does this mean that there won't be matches in Multan in the PSL?

Maybe they will take inspiration from Hyderabad and call the team Rawalpindi Multan Rams.

 

[Major]

I want the team to enter the ground each time while doing a wheeling or becoming a machli on a CD 70.

 

[KingKhanWC]

bro when u do come to Pindi, do hear out my recommendations for food around here next time.

Will do. I was there 2 weeks ago, went to Red Onion previously ,this time a place in Saddar, where they have blocked off the road, only walking now.

Didnt Akhtar suggest Rawalpindi Express as the name? lol

 

[Major]

Will do. I was there 2 weeks ago, went to Red Onion previously ,this time a place in Saddar, where they have blocked off the road, only walking now.

Didnt Akhtar suggest Rawalpindi Express as the name? lol

abeyy yaarr.

Red onion used to be good in its hey days, but there are many better options. Yes Saddar has been made walk only area. But there arnt any good eateries there.


Akhtar will be excited about this. Plus Walee Tech is known for being in the influencer business, so the marketing is expected to be top notch

 

[Savak]

Pindi Boys should be there in the name and Akhtar needs to be there aswell.

I want the song Lungi dance to be altered into Pindi Boys, same jingle, but change the lyrics by mentioning Pindi legends.

Not sure if Shoaib will be happy about this. He talked many times in different interviews on how it was his own ambition to buy a Rawalpindi team.

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020872423181316290

How this guy got admission at Oxford is baffling!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Thank you Ali Tareen. Didn't expect this. Guess I will have to change allegiances now. It's been nice knowing ya, Islamabad United. Also, now we will get Twin Cities derby too every season.

 

[Rana]

great move

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Gutted to see Multan lose the name. Also, it’s very Pakistan that two out of 8 franchises are literally 20 minutes away from each other whilst Multan remains unserved. Make it make sense

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Akhtar is a crazy dude but they should try some loose ambassador type set up with him where he doesn't have anything to do with the team but can take a few pictures and stand at the boundary sometimes.

 

[Rana]

Pretty obvious that the Tareen group didn’t do good enough to enable the franchise to be sold with the same name/brand setup etc.

The new owners entered the bid because they didn’t want to continue as Multan. Otherwise the PCB would not be giving those 3 options.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Multan Sultans was an iconic name. L PCB

 

[LordJames]

Hopefully this will setup a Derby between ISL and Pindi, good for PSL


Lahore vs Karachi
Islamabad vs Rawalpindi

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Lol and you have renamed PCB in revenge

Multan Sultans was an iconic name. L PCB

 

[Rana]

Multan Sultans was an iconic name. L PCB

Yeah well then don’t devalue these terms by behaving like juveniles as a franchise

 

[Major]

Shadab would be regretting staying with ISB

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Will do. I was there 2 weeks ago, went to Red Onion previously ,this time a place in Saddar, where they have blocked off the road, only walking now.

Didnt Akhtar suggest Rawalpindi Express as the name? lol

Yeah could be good name

 

[Rana]

Lol and you have renamed PCB in revenge

He is the man from Turad

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Multan as a franchise was always cursed. First got bought by those Schonn fraudsters. Then this clown Ali Tareen came on. Although admittedly, he did some good things and definitely made an effort to unearth more talent from South Punjab. But he was too mentally immature to run the team. I think the death of Alamgir Tareen was the turning point for the franchise. He was someone who was deeply committed to running Sultans with high standards of professionalism. Once he passed away his nephew was never going to have the vision to run this team properly.

 

[Rana]

Multan as a franchise was always cursed. First got bought by those Schonn fraudsters. Then this clown Ali Tareen came on. Although admittedly, he did some good things and definitely made an effort to unearth more talent from South Punjab. But he was too mentally immature to run the team. I think the death of Alamgir Tareen was the turning point for the franchise. He was someone who was deeply committed to running Sultans with high standards of professionalism. Once he passed away his nephew was never going to have the vision to run this team properly.

As much as I don’t rate Haider Azhar, I think he was still ok for this lot too. He isn’t the worst manager, his cricketing intellect is questionable though.

 

[TeymurBlake]

THIS.IS.HILARIOUS.

I guess Ali Tareen can own Multan Sultans in spirit like a lineal champion.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Now we need to start a campaign for the new team to be named Rawalpindi Rams

And not Rawalpindi Ramz btw.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

As much as I don’t rate Haider Azhar, I think he was still ok for this lot too. He isn’t the worst manager, his cricketing intellect is questionable though.

He's alright too. Infact their entire coaching staff was made up of good professionals.

 

[hur rizvi]

Pindi boysss!!!

 

[Rana]

THIS.IS.HILARIOUS.

I guess Ali Tareen can own Multan Sultans in spirit like a lineal champion.

Moral ownership

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Feel bad for the people of Multan. Ali Tareen will be public enemy #1 in Multan now.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Ali Tareen's "construction" of Multan Sultans left a bad taste in PCB's mouth, Walee Technologies read the script & bounced the team to Pindi.

 

[RidiculousMan]

great move

Ali is a great example for any youngster out there of what not to do. How not to behave. It costed him big team. Not only him but also the people of Multan.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Hopefully they can start building that stadium in Islamabad now

 

[Major]

Now we need to start a campaign for the new team to be named Rawalpindi Rams

And not Rawalpindi Ramz btw.

oh bhai, Pindi Boyz.

Rawalpindi Pindi Boyz, with Pinkish/red kit.

Our Mascot should be Bawa Jee

Our team should arrive on CD 70, infact, Honda CD 70 should personally be sponsoring the team. Savour should be another sponsor

 

[RidiculousMan]

Now we need to start a campaign for the new team to be named Rawalpindi Rams

And not Rawalpindi Ramz btw.

What about Rawalpindi Rambos?

 

[Rana]

Ali is a great example for any youngster out there of what not to do. How not to behave. It costed him big team. Not only him but also the people of Multan.

At the time when he ripped up the paper, a lot of people were in support of that move. I can bump the relevant thread here. It will be embarrassing for some

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

oh bhai, Pindi Boyz.

Rawalpindi Pindi Boyz, with Pinkish/red kit.

Our Mascot should be Bawa Jee

Our team should arrive on CD 70, infact, Honda CD 70 should personally be sponsoring the team. Savour should be another sponsor

Sorry bro but that's a big no from me.

Don't need the team to be that Pindi.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

What about Rawalpindi Rambos?

I can't support anything that gives that clown more attention

 

[Major]

What about Rawalpind Rami Jatuks

(its a slag for Harami boys or Bad Boys used in pindi )

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Feel bad for the people of Multan. Ali Tareen will be public enemy #1 in Multan now.

That, rather than anything Tareen related, is my biggest disappointment. Any franchise tournament needs full stadiums to feel vibrant, and Multan’s PSL games were usually well attended with a passionate crowd.

It was my hope that you’d see a true home and away fixture list at some future point.

You now take that away and instead name a team for a ground that already supports ISLU.

 

[Major]

Sorry bro but that's a big no from me.

Don't need the team to be that Pindi.

We need to do official paindu marketing for our Pindi team.

I am even willing to do a write up on the Mystical Bawa Qadra, his origins, how he discovered Pindi. The master of Poondi baaz.

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020861534256185816

Right

So these blokes were in it to save the RizBar dynasty


If Zalmi are sharing it, it means the plan was to keep that ***** cricket regime in tact

@topspin @emranabbas

 

[Rana]

The PSL 11 auction reached a historic milestone as the former Multan Sultans franchise was sold for a record Rs2.45 billion. The event, inaugurated by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and hosted by Fakhre Alam, saw five shortlisted bidders compete after a base price of Rs1.82 billion was set. The winning bid came from Walee Technologies, who immediately announced that the team would be rebranded as Rawalpindi.

This sale follows Ali Tareen’s decision not to renew his decade-long ownership after PSL 10. While the PCB initially planned to manage the team themselves, they opted for a public auction that far exceeded market expectations. Chairman Naqvi noted that the successful bid silenced critics who doubted the franchise could even reach Rs1 billion, reinforcing the PCB’s vision to transform the PSL into a premier global sporting event.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020864897551106059

Excellent work Salman Naseer

He won this head on war with Ali Tareen. Hands down. Man kept quite and silently annihilated him!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

We need to do official paindu marketing for our Pindi team.

I am even willing to do a write up on the Mystical Bawa Qadra, his origins, how he discovered Pindi. The master of Poondi baaz.

I guess you don't want women and children to come to the stadium

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Lol on a lighter note, they can make it "Pindi GHQ Markhors"

 

[Major]

What about Rawalpindi Establishment

I actually want the the derby be called GHQ vs Prime Minister Secretariat

 

[Rana]

WTH

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Lol on a lighter note, they can make it "Pindi GHQ Markhors"

Can you imagine the main sponsor rights bidding war between DHA, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer, Mari Petroleum, Fauji Cereal, Askari Cement, Fauji Cement, Nurpur, Opa, Fpundation Gas, Fauji Meats, SAPS, FWO, Mari Gas

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020886620032160010

Snake franchise

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Can you imagine the main sponsor rights bidding war between DHA, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer, Mari Petroleum, Fauji Cereal, Askari Cement, Fauji Cement, Nurpur, Opa, Fpundation Gas, Fauji Meats, SAPS, FWO, Mari Gas

I'm sure I am missing about 50 other business entities

 

[Major]

Live scenes from Pindi Stadium

 

[Major]

Can you imagine the main sponsor rights bidding war between DHA, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer, Mari Petroleum, Fauji Cereal, Askari Cement, Fauji Cement, Nurpur, Opa, Fpundation Gas, Fauji Meats, SAPS, FWO, Mari Gas

How dare you forget Savour foods and Tehzeeb bakery.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Lol you are one of them MAJOR SB! Don't fool us

Live scenes from Pindi Stadium

View attachment 161477

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

If a player performs poorly a black Vigo will be waiting outside the stadium for him. Ready to take him on a nice, relaxing trip to the Northern Areas

 

[shah9425]

Feel bad for the people of Multan. Ali Tareen will be public enemy #1 in Multan now.

I'm very angry right now

No more psl

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Yeah well then don’t devalue these terms by behaving like juveniles as a franchise

I don't even watch it tbh...but they've lost an iconic brand

 

[pak.cricket]

Can you imagine the main sponsor rights bidding war between DHA, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer, Mari Petroleum, Fauji Cereal, Askari Cement, Fauji Cement, Nurpur, Opa, Fpundation Gas, Fauji Meats, SAPS, FWO, Mari Gas

Everyone else will already be out of race if any fauji brand enters the bid. You should knowww why....

 

[Kianig89]

Rawalpindi franchise will boost PSL, surprisingly a good move by PSL authorities

 

[RidiculousMan]

@Rana This was Ali last month.

 

[Rana]

@Rana This was Ali last month.

View attachment 161481

Lol

Ab ban jaye ga Pindi boys tere Sultans ke janazey par

 

[RehanG]

Did Ali Tareen take part in the bids?


And is nonsense to sell 'Multan' and let them change to Pindi!

 

[Kianig89]

So Rizwan might play for Pindi

 

[Savak]

Did Ali Tareen take part in the bids?


And is nonsense to sell 'Multan' and let them change to Pindi!

The new owners will have to pay an extra $1 million to the PCB to choose a name of their choosing. They paid the money and big money approximately $9.7 million i.e. $8.7 million Franchise Fees and another $1 million for the name change. This gives them the full right to do as they deem fit.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

How dare you forget Savour foods and Tehzeeb bakery.

Savour foods and Tehzeeb will forget themselves if they try to overstep their bounds against this army of corporations

 

[Major]

Savour foods and Tehzeeb will forget themselves if they try to overstep their bounds against this army of corporations

Im pretty sure army gets 25% discount on savour too.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

really a pathetic decision to change the name of one of the most successful franchises of the PSL. It was the only representation from South Punjab and that too has been replaced.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020904757938749939

 

[Bhaijaan]

Multan Sultans has become a popular name

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I'm very angry right now

No more psl

I had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing saala sb. say that Multan will be back in the near future, possibly as a franchise maintained by PCB.

 

[Rana]

I had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing saala sb. say that Multan will be back in the near future, possibly as a franchise maintained by PCB.

Might as well give it to those young lads now. They wanted Sultans, they put up 2.45b

Just add a 9th team and that way you can keep hold of that franchise plus a gaurenteed $8m rolling in every year for the next decade

 

[RidiculousMan]

In the memory of "Rawalpindi Rams", they should name it "Rawalpindi Dams".

On a serious note. Some good names are;

- Rawalpindi Riders
- Rawalpindi Royals
- Rawalpindi Warriors Pakistan
- Rawalpindi Wolves

Personally I would like to see Rawalpindi Warriors Pakistan (RWP).

 

[Rana]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2020909034942194172

IMO this guy should shut up right now and try not to draw any attention towards the first 5 franchise owners. Knowing that there are clearly 4-5 serious groups ready to outbid those owners if there franchises go for resale

 

[Rana]

Quetta Gladiators being allowed to drive a Bentley although they are paying instalment fees for a Chevrolet

Ridiculous! How are the 3 new teams worth 2-3 more times more than a franchise that’s been around 10 years?

 

[ghalib kichlu]

Gulon mein rang bhare
What a sad end to the Multan sultans
Hopefully they put solar panel tiles on the stadiums roofs and provide alternative electricity for the people of Multan

 

[RidiculousMan]

I wonder if there was really an option mentioned in the tender to allow successful bidder to change the city name

Walee owner did mentioned afterwards that it was stated in the tender. But I cannot find it. Does anyone have it? Or did PCB changed their mind mid Auction and told Walee that they will get the option to change the city if they bid more?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I wonder if there was really an option mentioned in the tender to allow successful bidder to change the city name

Walee owner did mentioned afterwards that it was stated in the tender. But I cannot find it. Does anyone have it? Or did PCB changed their mind mid Auction and told Walee that they will get the option to change the city if they bid more?

Didn't they pay like a million extra to get naming rights?