Ali Tareen, owner of the PSL side Multan Sultans, set to be blacklisted by the PCB following constant attacks on the board.
Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen faces threat of ‘blacklist’ from PCB.
The Multan Sultans announced in a statement that the PCB has threatened to “blacklist” Ali Tareen for his criticism of the PSL management unless he issues a public apology.
Ten years after the PSL’s founding, the teams’ ownership rights expire in December, and the current owners must place a new offer in order to retain their teams. Tareen couldn’t if he was on a blacklist.
Tareen has criticised the PSL management over the past year for what he sees as a lack of openness and communication, particularly in relation to the rebid for franchise rights and the arrival of two new teams for the upcoming season.
“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 franchise said in a statement. “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 in defence of Tareen said: “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.”