PSL Team Owners 2026: Complete List of All 8 Pakistan Super League Franchise Owners

Last Updated: April, 2026 

Pakistan Super League has never looked like this before.

For the first time in the league’s history, PSL 2026 features eight teams. Two brand-new franchises joined the competition. One old franchise changed hands, moved to a new city, and got a new name. Another new owner walked in, revived a legendary brand, and relocated it back to where it belongs. And five original owners quietly renewed their commitments for another decade — without much drama, but with serious money.

If you want a clear, complete picture of who owns each PSL team in 2026, what they paid, who they are, and why any of it matters — this is the only article you need.

Quick Answer: All 8 PSL Team Owners in 2026

Why PSL 2026 Ownership Is a Big Deal

PSL started in 2016 with five teams. The original franchise fees were valued in US dollars. The highest-paying team back then was Karachi Kings, and they paid around USD 25.2 million for a ten-year deal.

Fast forward to 2026, and a single new franchise is selling for more than some original teams combined.

The 2026 season marks the start of a new ten-year ownership cycle for almost everyone. The Pakistan Cricket Board brought in Ernst & Young to re-evaluate all franchise values before renewals. Fees shifted from US dollars to Pakistani rupees. New investors entered from the United States and Australia. And the total annual franchise fee revenue for PCB from all eight teams is now approximately PKR 882 crore — a number that shows just how much the league has grown.

Let us look at each owner in detail.

1. Lahore Qalandars — Sameen Rana and Atif Rana

Franchise fee: PKR 670 million per year (2026–2035)

Lahore Qalandars are owned by the Rana family. Sameen Rana is the main owner and managing director, while Atif Rana handles team operations as CEO.

The Qalandars are the most valuable franchise in the renewed cycle. Ernst & Young valued them at approximately PKR 980 million per year, but as per the new renewal formula — where existing owners pay the old fee plus 25% of the new valuation — the Ranas ended up paying PKR 670 million annually. That is still the highest franchise fee among the five original teams.

Lahore Qalandars were the first franchise to publicly confirm their renewal. They did so with pride, and for good reason. The Qalandars have now won the PSL title three times — making them joint-most successful team in the league alongside Islamabad United.

What makes the Qalandars stand apart from other franchises is their cricket development model. They run the Qalandars High Performance Centre in Lahore, where young players from across Pakistan get professional training. Several Pakistan national team players, including some who have represented the country in World Cups, came through this program. It is not just a franchise. It is a cricket ecosystem.

2. Islamabad United — Ali Naqvi (Leonine Global Sports)

Franchise fee: PKR 480 million per year (2026–2035)

Islamabad United are owned by Ali Naqvi, who runs Leonine Global Sports from Hong Kong. His wife Amna Naqvi plays a central role in team management and is widely known for her hands-on approach to running the franchise.

United were valued at approximately PKR 860 million in the latest EY assessment — up from just PKR 255 million when they first joined in 2015. That growth is a strong reflection of how much PSL has grown as a commercial product.

Islamabad United are one of the most decorated franchises in PSL history. They have won three PSL titles (2016, 2018, 2023), making them joint leaders with Lahore Qalandars. Their playing style has always been aggressive, data-driven, and results-focused. The ownership under Naqvi has maintained consistent quality over a decade, which is why the renewal was never really in doubt.

3. Karachi Kings — Salman Iqbal (ARY Group)

Franchise fee: PKR 640 million per year (2026–2035)

Karachi Kings are owned by Salman Iqbal, who is the CEO of the ARY Group — one of Pakistan’s largest and most recognisable media conglomerates. ARY operates TV channels, a news network, and large-scale real estate projects including ARY Laguna in Karachi.

Salman Iqbal has been part of PSL since day one. He was among the original buyers when PCB first sold franchises in December 2015, and he has stayed with Karachi Kings through both the good times and the tough ones.

In the latest re-evaluation, Karachi Kings were valued at approximately PKR 790 million — a smaller percentage increase compared to other franchises, which made their renewal terms relatively favourable. Their annual fee works out to around PKR 640 million, making them the second most expensive original franchise after Lahore.

Karachi Kings won their only PSL title in 2020, in a tournament that was affected by COVID-19 and played in a bio-bubble in Karachi. As one of the country’s most populous and cricket-mad cities, Karachi deserves — and gets — a franchise that commands serious attention and investment.

4. Peshawar Zalmi — Javed Afridi

Franchise fee: PKR 490 million per year (2026–2035)

Javed Afridi is one of the most recognisable faces in PSL. He is the owner of Peshawar Zalmi, and his public passion for the team and for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is something fans have grown to love over the years.

Outside cricket, Javed Afridi is a serious businessman. He is the CEO of Haier Pakistan and is also the man who brought MG Motors to Pakistan. His business ventures span electronics, automobiles, and telecommunications.

Peshawar Zalmi were valued at approximately PKR 870 million by Ernst & Young — up from just PKR 270 million in 2016. That is more than three times growth in value, which is a sign of how the franchise has built its brand and fan base in KP and across Pakistan.

Upon renewing his contract, Afridi was clear about his ambitions. He described the next decade as belonging to “ambition, innovation, and a stronger Zalmi vision.” Peshawar Zalmi have won the PSL title once, in 2017, and have consistently been one of the more competitive sides in the league.

5. Quetta Gladiators — Nadeem Omar (Omar Associates)

Franchise fee: PKR 340 million per year (2026–2035)

Nadeem Omar is the owner of Quetta Gladiators, and his story within Pakistan cricket goes well beyond running a T20 franchise. He runs Omar Associates, a Karachi-based construction company, but his involvement in cricket development stretches back decades.

Omar has served as the President of the Karachi City Cricket Association and holds key positions in sports administration in Pakistan. He is credited with nurturing several players who went on to represent Pakistan at the international level — Sarfaraz Ahmed being the most prominent example.

In the latest valuation, Quetta Gladiators had the lowest annual fee among the five original franchises — PKR 340 million — but also the largest percentage growth from their 2016 value of PKR 187 million. That makes them one of the best performing franchises in terms of brand appreciation relative to their starting point.

Nadeem Omar also owns the Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League, which shows his commitment to franchise cricket beyond just Pakistan. The Gladiators won the PSL title in 2019 and remain a fan favourite across Balochistan and beyond.

6. Rawalpindi Pindiz — Walee Technologies

Franchise fee: PKR 2.45 billion (most expensive in PSL history)

This is where things get interesting.

Multan Sultans were one of the original six PSL teams, added in 2017 when the league expanded from five to six franchises. They were owned by Ali Tareen, a businessman and politician from South Punjab. When the original ten-year contracts expired after PSL 2025, five of the six teams renewed. Multan Sultans did not.

Ali Tareen’s dispute with the PCB over valuation and renewal terms became public. The Sultans’ franchise was placed under PCB administration and put up for auction on February 9, 2026.

Walee Technologies won the auction with a bid of PKR 2.45 billion — the highest franchise fee ever paid in PSL history. Walee Technologies is a Pakistani digital marketing and technology company, making them one of the first tech-sector owners in the league.

In a significant move, the new owners decided to relocate the franchise from Multan to Rawalpindi and rebranded the team as Rawalpindi Pindiz. As a statement, they also won the PSL broadcasting rights, making them both a team owner and a key media partner in the league simultaneously.

7. Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen — Fawad Sarwar (FKS Group)

Franchise fee: PKR 1.75 billion

The story behind Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen is one of the most personal ownership stories in PSL history.

Fawad Sarwar, the president of FKS Group, was born in Hyderabad, Pakistan. He built his career in the United States, where FKS Group operates in the aviation and healthcare sectors. He also runs the Chicago Kingsmen, a cricket team in the US.

When PSL announced it would add two new franchises, Fawad Sarwar saw it as something far more than a business opportunity. At the post-auction press conference on January 8, 2026, he described it as a childhood dream fulfilled, saying he could not believe he was actually a PSL team owner.

FKS Group won the Hyderabad franchise at PKR 1.75 billion — a record at the time of the auction and almost three times higher than Lahore Qalandars’ annual fee. The Hyderabad base price was set at PKR 1.1 billion, but intense competition from multiple bidders, including i2c (a fintech company), pushed the number well above expectations.

The team name — Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen — deliberately connects Fawad Sarwar’s two cities. It is a franchise born from diaspora pride, and it has already generated real excitement among Hyderabad’s large and passionate cricket community.

8. Multan Sultans — Gohar Shah (CD Ventures)

Franchise fee: PKR 2.0 billion

This might be the most dramatic ownership story of PSL 2026.

OZ Developers, an Australia-based real estate consortium led by Hamza Majeed, won the rights to the eighth PSL franchise at the January 8 auction. They paid PKR 1.85 billion — the highest bid at the auction — and chose Sialkot as their city, naming the team Sialkot Stallionz.

However, reports soon emerged that two of OZ Developers’ investors had pulled out during the bidding process due to the steep price increase. Within weeks, a PCB investigation reportedly found OZ Developers to be effectively bankrupt. By February 22, 2026, 98% of the Sialkot franchise’s shares were sold to Gohar Shah of CD Ventures, as PCB regulations prevent a full 100% share transfer within the first three years.

Gohar Shah had a clear vision for what he wanted to do. He requested permission from PCB to rebrand the Sialkot Stallionz as the Multan Sultans — citing his desire to restore South Punjab’s representation in PSL — and to move the team from Sialkot back to Multan. PCB officially approved the rebrand on March 3, 2026.

The annual franchise fee was revised upward from PKR 1.85 billion to PKR 2 billion, along with a one-time USD 1 million name-change fee. Under Shah’s ownership, the Multan Sultans returned to PSL — just under different management.

It is an extraordinary sequence of events. A franchise that started as Sialkot Stallionz in January, was on the verge of financial collapse by February, and came back to life as Multan Sultans by March.

What Happened to the Original Multan Sultans?

This is a question many fans have been asking, so here is the straightforward version:

• The original Multan Sultans were owned by Ali Tareen, added to PSL in 2017
• After PSL 2025, Ali Tareen chose not to renew his franchise due to a dispute with PCB over valuation
• PCB auctioned the franchise on February 9, 2026
• Walee Technologies bought it for PKR 2.45 billion and rebranded it as Rawalpindi Pindiz
• Separately, the Sialkot Stallionz franchise — bought originally by OZ Developers — changed hands to Gohar Shah of CD Ventures, who revived the Multan Sultans name

So technically, there are now two franchises that carry some connection to the Multan Sultans legacy — but only one bears the name.

Franchise Fees: How the Numbers Compare

Here is a clear view of where fees stand in 2026:

New franchises (2026 auction):

• Rawalpindi Pindiz: PKR 2.45 billion (Walee Technologies)
• Multan Sultans: PKR 2.0 billion (CD Ventures, revised from OZ Developers’ PKR 1.85 billion)
• Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen: PKR 1.75 billion (FKS Group)

Original five teams (renewed 2025, effective 2026):

• Lahore Qalandars: PKR 670 million
• Karachi Kings: PKR 640 million
• Peshawar Zalmi: PKR 490 million
• Islamabad United: PKR 480 million
• Quetta Gladiators: PKR 340 million

The gap between the new franchises and the original five is striking. The original teams paid a combined total of around PKR 2.62 billion per year, while Rawalpindi Pindiz alone is paying PKR 2.45 billion. This is a reflection of how much the PSL brand has grown in value since 2015.

The PSL 2026 Expansion: Why Two New Teams Now?

The original PSL contract signed in 2015 was for ten years. By the end of PSL 2025, the first cycle had completed. PCB used this moment to restructure, re-evaluate all franchise values, and expand the league.

PCB shortlisted six cities for the two new spots: Faisalabad, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Muzaffarabad, Rawalpindi, and Sialkot. The auction was held on January 8, 2026, at Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad. Nine bidders participated in the live auction.

Hyderabad and Sialkot were selected. The competition was fierce. Among the losing bidders was i2c, a US-based fintech company that bid aggressively for both slots but was ultimately outbid on both occasions.

The expansion took the league from six teams to eight — a milestone that had been discussed for years. Longer tournament, more matches, more cricket for fans, and more commercial revenue for PCB.

Ownership Profiles: What These Owners Do Outside Cricket

One thing competitor articles often miss is the business background behind each PSL owner. Here is a quick look:

Salman Iqbal (Karachi Kings) runs ARY Group, which operates ARY News, ARY Digital, ARY Laguna (real estate), and multiple entertainment channels. One of the most powerful media operators in Pakistan.

Javed Afridi (Peshawar Zalmi) is CEO of Haier Pakistan and the person who introduced MG Motors to Pakistan. He is known for aggressive marketing and for bringing international cricket stars to visit Peshawar.

Nadeem Omar (Quetta Gladiators) has a deeper cricket background than most owners. He has been developing cricketers in Karachi for decades and serves as President of the Karachi City Cricket Association. He also owns the Galle Gladiators in Sri Lanka’s LPL.

Sameen Rana (Lahore Qalandars) runs the Qalandars’ world-famous cricket development program, which identifies and trains young talent from Pakistan and abroad through combine camps.

Ali Naqvi (Islamabad United) operates through Leonine Global Sports in Hong Kong. His wife Amna Naqvi is a known figure in franchise cricket circles and is heavily involved in United’s day-to-day management.

Fawad Sarwar (Hyderabad Kingsmen) leads FKS Group, an aviation and healthcare conglomerate based in the USA. He also runs the Chicago Kingsmen, building a cricket ecosystem for the Pakistani diaspora.

Walee Technologies (Rawalpindi Pindiz) is a Pakistani tech company — one of the few purely domestic tech sector investors to own a PSL franchise.

Gohar Shah (Multan Sultans) operates through CD Ventures. He stepped in to rescue the Sialkot franchise from financial collapse and restored the Multan Sultans identity.

PSL Ownership: Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Lahore Qalandars in 2026? Lahore Qalandars are owned by Sameen Rana and Atif Rana. They renewed their ownership for another ten years in November 2025.

Who owns Islamabad United in 2026? Islamabad United are owned by Ali Naqvi through his company Leonine Global Sports, based in Hong Kong. His wife Amna Naqvi also plays a significant role in managing the franchise.

Who owns Karachi Kings in 2026? Karachi Kings are owned by Salman Iqbal, who is the CEO of the ARY Group — one of Pakistan’s largest media companies.

Who owns Peshawar Zalmi in 2026? Peshawar Zalmi are owned by Javed Afridi, who is also the CEO of Haier Pakistan and the person who brought MG Motors to Pakistan.

Who owns Quetta Gladiators in 2026? Quetta Gladiators are owned by Nadeem Omar of Omar Associates, a Karachi-based company. Omar has been involved in Pakistan cricket development for decades.

Who owns Rawalpindi Pindiz in 2026? Rawalpindi Pindiz — formerly the Multan Sultans franchise — is owned by Walee Technologies, a Pakistani digital marketing and tech company, after winning the franchise auction in February 2026 for PKR 2.45 billion.

Who owns Hyderabad Kingsmen in 2026? Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen are owned by Fawad Sarwar, who leads FKS Group — a US-based aviation and healthcare company. Sarwar was born in Hyderabad and built his career in the United States.

Who owns Multan Sultans in 2026? The revived Multan Sultans — operating under the Sialkot franchise slot — are owned by Gohar Shah of CD Ventures. He acquired 98% of the franchise from the bankrupt OZ Developers in February 2026 and renamed the team Multan Sultans.

What happened to Ali Tareen and the original Multan Sultans? Ali Tareen chose not to renew his ownership after a dispute with PCB over the new franchise fee valuation. His Multan Sultans franchise was auctioned and sold to Walee Technologies, who rebranded it as Rawalpindi Pindiz.

How many PSL teams are there in 2026? PSL 2026 features eight teams — the most in the league’s history. The two new teams are Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen and the revived Multan Sultans (originally awarded to Sialkot).

When does PSL 2026 start and end? PSL 2026 (HBL PSL 11) runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026.

Why did Sialkot Stallionz change owners so quickly? OZ Developers, the original Sialkot franchise buyers, reportedly faced financial instability after some investors withdrew. A PCB investigation found them effectively bankrupt. Their 98% stake was sold to Gohar Shah’s CD Ventures before the tournament even started.

Conclusion

PSL 2026 is a genuinely new chapter for Pakistan’s biggest cricket league.

The ownership landscape is completely different from what it was just one year ago. The original five teams have fresh ten-year deals. The Multan Sultans franchise — sold, renamed, relocated to Rawalpindi — is now one of the league’s most expensive properties. Two brand-new franchises have brought international investors from the US and Australia into Pakistan cricket. And a revived Multan Sultans is back in the south, carrying the weight of that legacy under entirely new management.

The numbers tell their own story. In 2015, the most expensive original franchise fee was around PKR 440 million in today’s equivalent. In 2026, a single franchise auction bid crossed PKR 2.45 billion. That is not just growth. That is the PSL arriving at a new level altogether.

Eight teams. Eight owners. One trophy. And a league that now looks more like a serious, globally recognised product than ever before.

For more on how these valuations affect player spending, check out this breakdown of the PSL 2026 most expensive players.

Sources

1. PCB Official Press Release — HBL PSL expands with new franchises

2. ESPNcricinfo — Hyderabad and Sialkot join PSL

3. ESPN — Lahore Qalandars extend ownership rights for 10 years

4. PSL Official Site — psl-t20.com

5. Wikipedia — 2026 Pakistan Super League

6. PSL Update Hub — PSL 2026 Most Expensive Players