Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB hit by explosive PSL ownership dispute involving two teams
Published - 21 Feb 2026, 10:00 AM | Updated - 21 Feb 2026, 11:34 PM
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cannot stay away from controversy for a long time. They have been involved in fresh new problems regarding the premier franchise league, the Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to PTI reports, there have been ownership disputes involving at least two Pakistan Super League franchises, one of which is the newly auctioned Sialkot Stallionz and the other is the Lahore Qalandars.
A reported disagreement has been identified with the newly added team, Sialkot Stallionz. The reports arriving is Muhammad Shahid, a businessman who lives abroad, has filed a lawsuit with PSL CEO Salman Naseer, claiming to own 76% of the franchise's shares.
Sialkot Stallionz digs deeper into trouble in ownership holdings in PSL
Shahid also claims that the partners who are in control of the remaining 24% have been trying to sell stakes without his knowledge or agreement, and that they are offloading more shares than they are entitled to. Thus, creating a controversy between the two shareholders of the franchise.
Muhammad Shahid has also shared a video on social media, claiming the accusations and demanding intervention from the PCB. According to the report, the Sialkot Stallionz was acquired for PKR 185 crore by a group led by Kamil Khana, a close relative of a former Pakistan captain. However, Khan has no connection to the ownership dispute at hand.
Lahore Qalandars face ownership issues in PSL
The second dispute surrounding Lahore Qalandars is also somewhat similar. Qalandars are one of the oldest franchises in the league and have been there since the start of the PSL. As per the reports, Fawad Rana, a Pakistani businessman, also filed a complaint with Naseer, claiming that the former has the majority stake in the Lahore franchise.
The case has been in favour of Fawad Rana, according to court documents mentioned in the report, Rana filed a petition to show his majority ownership stake and alleged that the other stakeholders had sold his shares, and the court also accepted his claim.
These problems arise when the PSL is trying to bring in the new eight-team structure and push for greater commercial stability. The valuations of the franchise have risen, and thus, the ownership controls have come under major scrutiny. The PCB may face extra pressure to ensure governance clarity about franchise ownership.
Pakistan players in trouble to play franchise cricket
However, if the primary issues remain, internal shareholding disputes must be resolved between partners. The PSL auction has already taken place, and the teams are ready to go. The tournament is set to run from 26th March, 2026 to 3rd May, 2026.
Pakistan players also faced a fresh issue of not being part of the franchise leagues across the world after India-owned companies took over the holdings for some franchises in the Hundred. Their participation has been in doubt. However, there has been no clarity on that.
If that happens this would be a huge loss for Pakistan cricket, and the players will also suffer. This will yet again reignite the India-Pakistan row, which cooled down a bit a few weeks back after long months of controversy.
Also Read: Michael Vaughan demands ECB action after Indian-owned Hundred teams refuse to sign Pakistan players
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