Ali Tareen criticises PCB for ‘victory lap’ over HBL PSL X
Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has sharply criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for celebrating what it called a successful HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, accusing officials of ignoring pressing issues surrounding the tournament’s decline in public interest and operational standards.
In a series of posts on social media following the PCB’s recent debriefing session in Lahore, Tareen dismissed the board’s claims of satisfaction from stakeholders regarding HBL PSL X, saying the league’s underlying problems had gone unaddressed.
“Applause? You must be kidding,” he wrote on X, referring to the PCB’s video summary that praised the league’s performance.
Tareen cited poor television ratings, dwindling stadium attendance, and a slowdown in digital engagement as evidence that fan interest has declined significantly.
Applause? You must be kidding.
📉 TV viewership is down
📉 Stadium attendance is down
📱 Social media growth has slowed
😵💫 Team logistics were shambolic
🤡 The draft was comical
And they want a standing ovation? 🤔
Skip the victory lap and address the slide. Fans notice.… https://t.co/S8aEYRLJucEmpty stands in Karachi were among the most visible signs of that disconnect during the 2025 season, yet the PCB has not shared any clear plan to reverse the trend.
Tareen also took aim at the tournament’s operations, describing logistics as “shambolic” and branding the player draft “comical.”
Team Logistics was shambolic because every team had to split their own players and staff between 3 different hotels in the same city! 😵💫
Some teams were asked to change the location and date of their games mid season! 😑
(Before the attacks)
And don’t even get me started on the… https://t.co/QhSSah3HfOHe argued that the league’s planning failures had undermined its professionalism and damaged its credibility among fans and players alike.
“And they want a standing ovation?” he posted. “Skip the victory lap and address the slide. Fans notice.”
If I own a team or not, I’ll always be a huge PSL fan. And seeing its decline hurts. https://t.co/WA3pLtYmDw
The remarks have reignited tensions between franchise owners and the board.
Tareen has previously voiced frustration with the PCB’s management of the league and has called for structural changes in how the PSL is run.
His latest comments suggest that concerns among stakeholders remain unresolved, despite public attempts by the board to frame the season as a step forward.
Exactly what we thought afterwards…
No input from franchises, no brainstorming on declining attendance and TV viewership. Just a one-way meeting where the PSL management told us everything is GREAT! 🥰🥳🎉#TeamDelulu https://t.co/l3E4fyJEx4While the PCB has promoted PSL X as a milestone year, Tareen’s criticism reflects broader unease about the league’s direction in a competitive sports market where audience loyalty cannot be taken for granted.