PSL franchise auctions sparked celebrations and headlines, but behind the drum rolls, tough questions emerge about high prices, foreign buyers, long-term viability and whether optimism can translate into sustainable profits.
Imran Malik – MediaBites – January 11, 2026
So, PSL auction day arrived. Two franchises were sold, one for Rs175 crore, the other for Rs185 crore. Drums rolled, claps echoed, “wah wah” filled the air, and headlines celebrated PCB’s “historic success.” Congratulations were exchanged like wedding sweets.
But once the music faded, a few stubborn questions refused to leave the hall.
First, the obvious one: Is this cost actually justified? And more importantly, can franchises survive long term at these prices, or are we just celebrating expensive optimism?
Then came another curious detail. Pakistan’s top business elite was noticeably absent from the winner’s circle. No major local tycoon raised the winning paddle. Instead, one franchise went to a US-based businessman, the other to an Australian. Given the current state of the Pakistani rupee, this price tag probably felt like a mid-season discount sale for foreign buyers. For locals, not so much.
The bigger question remains: Can these franchises realistically make money?
A well-known PSL insider quietly shared a rather inconvenient truth: “Bilkul bhi nahin.” Multan Sultans, remember, was once the most expensive team of all and yet remained stuck in losses year after year. Eventually, even the Tareen family decided enough was enough and walked away. Other franchises survive mainly because they were bought cheaply back in the day, leaving some room for profit, or at least survival.
And then there’s the road show chapter. PCB reportedly spent a healthy amount taking PSL to the UK, pitching the dream to overseas investors. London, New York, glossy presentations, big promises. But if the idea was so irresistible, why didn’t the UK business community bite? Whose idea were these road shows? How much did they cost, and what exactly did they achieve?
These are not anti-PSL questions. They are pro-transparency questions. An audit would not hurt. In fact, it would help.
That said, congratulations to the new owners of the Sialkot and Hyderabad franchises. Sincerely. With genuine wishes and prayers that these teams turn into profitable ventures rather than expensive trophies of enthusiasm.
Because in the end, cricket needs sustainability more than drum rolls.
