ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially revealed the third qualified bidder for the upcoming auction of two new Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams ahead of the league’s 11th edition.
In a statement shared on its official social media platforms on Monday, the PCB confirmed VGO TEL Mobile as the third bidder, stating: “The excitement is building. VGO TEL Mobile confirmed as Bidder [No.3] for the HBL PSL Teams Auction.”
The much-anticipated auction is scheduled to take place on Thursday at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad, marking a historic moment as the PSL prepares to expand from six to eight teams. The upcoming season of the tournament is set to run from March 26 to May 3.
Earlier in the day, the PCB had also confirmed the first and second qualified bidders, further intensifying excitement surrounding the auction process. The expansion follows the successful completion of technical evaluations of proposals submitted by various interested groups.
Among the confirmed bidders is the Tareen Group, led by prominent businessman Ali Khan Tareen, the former owner of Multan Sultans. Tareen acquired the franchise in 2018 and transformed it into one of the league’s most competitive teams, winning the PSL title in 2021 and reaching several finals.
However, relations between Tareen and the PCB later deteriorated due to disagreements over franchise renewal terms and governance matters. He was notably the only franchise owner not offered a 10-year extension, with the dispute escalating after the PCB issued a legal notice citing alleged contract violations. Tareen announced his exit from the Multan Sultans franchise in late 2025, which officially concluded at the end of the year, making him eligible to participate in the new bidding process.
Another confirmed contender is Karachi-based VGO TEL, led by CEO Naveed Gaba, which has now formally entered the race to acquire one of the new franchises.
According to the PCB, successful bidders will later be given the opportunity to select a home city from an approved list that includes Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sialkot, Muzaffarabad, and Gilgit.
The expansion is expected to enhance the PSL’s commercial value and further strengthen Pakistan’s premier T20 league on the global stage.