scenario of pakistan super league There has been a tectonic shift as the iconic Multan Sultan The franchise officially played its last innings on February 9, 2026. Following an intense, high-stakes auction in Lahore, the franchise was sold for an amount that broke all previous league records, marking a historic milestone in the commercial development of the PSL.
The change has not only introduced a new corporate titan to the world of cricket but also triggered an immediate and dramatic rebranding that takes the team to its heart South Punjab For the Twin Cities. While the departure of the Sultans brand marks the end of an eight-year legacy including a championship in 2021, it signals the beginning of a new era with deep pockets for the upcoming 11th edition of the league.
PSL 2026: Multan Sultans exit after relocation to Rawalpindi reveals new owners and record-breaking sale price
The auction for the Multan franchise was the most anticipated commercial event in the history of the PSL, culminating with a record-breaking final price of PKR 2.45 billion (approximately $8.8 million) for the annual fee. The winning bid was made by Wali TechnologiesA global financial technology and media powerhouse, led by CEO Ahsan Tahir.
The bidding war was a tight affair in which Volley outbid giants like CD Ventures and Particle Igniter, almost doubling the previous record. PKR 1.85 billion set by Sialkot Stallions Just last month. pcb chairman Mohsin Naqvi The sale was praised as a “watershed moment”, noting that the massive valuation was a direct result of the league’s change in player auction model. For Valley Technologies, this investment represents a strategic leap into sports ownership, which intends to integrate its fintech solutions to revolutionize fan engagement and digital broadcasting for the expanded 8-team tournament.
Rawalpindi era begins under CEO Ahsan Tahir ahead of PSL 2026
In a move that stunned South Punjab fans, Wali Technologies immediately exercised its right to rebrand and announced that the team would now be known as Rawalpindi. This decision effectively ended the Multan Sultans identity, leading to the team’s home base being moved to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which they will now share with Islamabad United.
“Are you ready for a surprise? We’ll go to Rawalpindi!” The Dawn quoted CEO Ahsan Tahir as saying
CEO Ahsan Tahir A deep personal and childhood connection to the city of Rawalpindi was cited as the primary motivation for the move. While the rebrand brings a new professional identity to the league, it has left an emotional void in Multan, a city that had become a bastion for the Sultans and their ‘Jannoob ki Pehchan’ (Identity of the South) slogan. As the newly named Rawalpindi franchise prepares for the PSL 11 player auction on February 12, the management is facing the monumental task of building a brand new team to represent one of the most cricket-crazy cities of Pakistan.
Also read: Shubman Gill’s close friend Agni Chopra reacts to PSL registration rumors