By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi outlined key strategic decisions for the board and the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) in a press conference on Sunday, signalling structural changes and commercial priorities as the country’s premier Twenty20 competition approaches.
Speaking at the PCB headquarters in Lahore, Naqvi said the board would personally operate the Multan Sultans franchise in the forthcoming PSL 11 season, after the franchise’s previous ownership exited amid strained relations with the board. The PCB plans to auction the franchise following the conclusion of the tournament, he added, as part of efforts to stabilise the league’s commercial model.
Naqvi reiterated that while the PCB had taken over operations for the season, interested parties including former owners would be free to participate in the January 8 auction in Islamabad to secure the franchise for future years.
Naqvi said the PCB will soon announce an administrator, a former professional cricketer, who will see the operations of Multan Sultans in the coming season.
In a move aimed at boosting the league’s profile, Naqvi announced the appointment of former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador of PSL 11, citing the veteran fast bowler’s iconic status in Pakistan cricket. The chairman said the board expected Akram’s involvement to enhance fan engagement and commercial interest.
“Wasim will be one of the auctioneers, the other a foreigner, in the January 8 auction of two franchises in the Convention Centre in Islamabad,”.
Addressing the PSL schedule, Naqvi said the PCB was considering bringing the start date forward to March 23 — three days earlier than planned — pending final consultation with all franchise owners.
“I have told Salman Naseer and keeping in view the historic day if we start it on March 23 it would be good otherwise it will begin on the already scheduled March 26,” Naqvi said.
Naqvi was hopeful that the two franchises would be sold out solidly as huge interests have been shown even by foreign investors and the US Road Show was successful.
Naqvi said the PCB had been focussing on Pakistan Shaheens and Pakistan Under19, adding he wanted to bring Shaheens at par with the national team.
“We are making effort to end the gap and make our cricket stronger,” Naqvi said.
“Our NCA coaches along with the three four local coaches of Multan worked extremely hard on Under19 team in the four and a half month training camp in Multan. Still we have to work harder to further develop these young players although eighty percent of them will be overage and you will see them fully trained inshaAllah,” Naqvi said.
He said that this under19 bunch will be properly adopted unlike in the past when such players would disappear following such youth-level events.
Pakistan Under19 recently won the Asia Cup in Dubai by demolishing India by 191 runs in the final.
Naqvi also touched on the league’s strategic development, emphasising the importance of maximizing commercial returns and operational stability. He said the board was focused on strengthening its domestic competitions and improving governance structures to ensure the sustainability of Pakistan’s most popular sporting property.
The chairman’s remarks come as the PCB seeks to consolidate its role in a challenging economic environment, balancing investment in the domestic game with the need to attract global sponsorship and viewership. The success of PSL widely seen as a financial backbone for the board — is central to that strategy.
