Multan Sultans Return to PSL 2026 with New Ownership and Branding

The Multan Sultans are making a comeback to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after Sialkot Stallionz, one of the new franchises, was rebranded as Multan Sultans. The rebranding was announced by PSL CEO Salman Naseer, and Gohar Shah, a former domestic cricketer, has taken over as the franchise's new CEO. The Sialkot Stallionz were part of the league's expansion from six to eight teams, but they've been replaced by the Multan Sultans, who previously played in the PSL but lost their franchise due to conflicts with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). On top of the fee for the name change, Naseer announced that CD Ventures had agreed to increase the annual franchise fee payments to PKR 2 billion. This was, he said a reflection of the increased value Multan Sultans' name brought by dint of being part of the ecosystem of the PSL as an established, recognised brand. The Multan Sultans are making a comeback to the PSL, but it's a bit of a twist. The Sialkot Stallionz franchise was rebranded as Multan Sultans, after the original Multan Sultans franchise was sold to Walee Technologies and relocated to Rawalpindi, becoming Pindiz. The new owners, CD Ventures, paid a franchise fee of PKR 2 billion to revive the Multan Sultans brand. The original franchise had been sold for a whopping PKR 2.45 billion, making it the highest valuation in the league. "I want my region to be represented, which is Multan, and South Punjab. It was very important for me that Multan stayed in the PSL, and will continue to stay in the future." Naseer also announced that the PSL's opening ceremony would take place in Lahore at the Gaddafi Stadium. The first match will be held in Lahore, between defending champions Lahore Qalandars and new franchise Hyderabad Kingsmen. The Multan Sultans had initially been sold to Walee Technologies and relocated to Rawalpindi, but CD Ventures, the new owners of Sialkot Stallionz, decided to rebrand the team as Multan Sultans, citing the strong legacy and brand value associated with the name. The franchise fee has been increased to PKR 2 billion, reflecting the added value of the Multan Sultans brand.