LAHORE, February 10, 2026 — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing heartlands of South Punjab, the Multan Sultans are no more.
In a dramatic auction room climax yesterday evening, the “Sultans”—champions of 2021 and the league’s most consistent performers—were effectively dissolved, not by defeat on the field, but by the stroke of a pen and a staggering PKR 2.45 billion ($8.77 million) check.
The franchise rights have been seized by Walee Technologies, a MarTech giant that wasted no time in delivering the final twist: the team will be uprooted from the City of Saints and rebranded as the Rawalpindi Royals (identity pending official confirmation), leaving Multan fans orphaned and Rawalpindi’s passionate cricket base in delirium.
Inside the Auction Room: A High-Stakes Poker Game
The air at the Expo Centre Lahore was thick with tension. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had set a base price of PKR 1.82 billion, a figure many critics called ambitious. They were wrong.
What unfolded was a bidding war that made the stock market look tame.
- The Combatants: Walee Technologies locked horns with corporate heavyweights like CD Ventures and Particle Igniter.
- The Escalation: Bids flew past the 2 billion mark in seconds. At 2.35 billion, the room held its breath.
- The Knockout Punch: Walee Technologies raised the paddle for 2.45 billion. Silence followed. The gavel fell. A new record was born.
“Are you ready for a surprise? We will be going for Rawalpindi!” — Ahsan Tahir, CEO of Walee Technologies, moments after the win.
The Price Tag: Why 2.45 Billion?
To understand the gravity of this sale, one must look at the numbers. This wasn’t just a purchase; it was a statement of intent that dwarfs all previous PSL valuations.
| Franchise | Sale Price (PKR) | Status |
| Multan (Now Rawalpindi) | 2.45 Billion | New Record (2026) |
| Sialkot Stallionz | 1.85 Billion | Sold Jan 2026 |
| Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen | 1.75 Billion | Sold Jan 2026 |
| Original Multan (2018) | ~0.7 Billion | Original Sale (approx) |
This valuation represents a massive leap in the PSL’s brand equity. Walee Technologies isn’t just buying a team; they are buying into the league’s transformation into a global powerhouse, betting nearly $9 million annually that the PSL is the second-best league in the world.
The Heartbreak of Multan
For the fans in Multan, the news is a bitter pill. The Sultans were more than a team; they were a symbol of South Punjab’s resurgence. Under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan (previously), they had created a distinct identity focused on data-driven cricket and humility.
With the shift to Rawalpindi, the geographic balance of the league tilts heavily towards the north. The “Sultans” legacy—the drumbeats, the indigo kits, the ‘Janoob Ki Pehchan’ (Identity of the South)—vanishes overnight, replaced by the raucous energy of the Pindi Boys.
Who Are the New Owners?
Walee Technologies is not a traditional industrial giant but a modern Tech and Media powerhouse. Specializing in AI, influencer marketing, and digital solutions, their entry signals a shift in PSL ownership from old-money industrialists to new-age tech moguls.
- The Vision: They have promised to revolutionize the fan experience using AI and digital engagement, hinting that the “Rawalpindi” franchise will be the most technologically advanced team in the league.
- The CEO: Ahsan Tahir, a tech veteran, has made it clear: they are here to disrupt, not just participate.
What Comes Next?
The dust has settled on the auction, but the real work begins now.
- Rebranding: The official logo and kit for the Rawalpindi team will be unveiled in days.
- The Squad: With the retention window closed, the new owners must now build a squad from scratch or inherit the Sultans’ roster (pending PCB clarification on player drafts for the rebranded entity).
- The Rivalry: A new natural rivalry is born—Rawalpindi vs. Islamabad United. The “Twin Cities Derby” is set to become the hottest ticket in town.
Multan is dead. Long live Rawalpindi.
