Ali Tareen Fires Back at PCB With ‘Apology’ Dripping in Sarcasm

The ongoing feud between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen is heating up and could soon land in court. Tareen has officially responded to the PCB’s recent legal notice, setting the stage for a potential legal showdown.

His response came just hours after news broke that the PCB had served a legal notice to Multan Sultans, threatening the team’s ownership over Tareen’s conduct and demanding a formal apology. Ali Tareen complied, sort of, by posting a sarcastic “apology” that also took fresh aim at the board’s alleged failures.

The PCB allegedly accused Tareen of violating multiple clauses in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise agreement. The board warned that if he didn’t retract his public criticism and issue an apology, Multan Sultans’ contract could be terminated and Tareen himself blacklisted from the league.

But instead of backing down, Ali Tareen took to X (formerly Twitter) with a biting, mock-apologetic video that doubled down on his earlier criticism of how the PSL is managed.

“If you were more competent, you would know these matters aren’t handled this way,” he said, adding that he hadn’t received “a single call, message, or email asking to resolve these issues together.”

Ali Tareen slammed the board’s lack of communication and claimed the PSL’s leadership was “surrounded by yes-men” who couldn’t handle constructive feedback. He emphasized that the league belongs to the fans and the nation — not just the few people currently running it.

His “apology” included several tongue-in-cheek admissions, like being sorry for wanting the opening ceremony to start on time, or for criticizing the “amazing” act of national stars lip-syncing during the event.

“I admit, I went too far by expecting the mic to work properly,” he quipped.

He even apologized for being “10 minutes late” to a Zoom meeting and sarcastically praised the “flawless” logistics that once placed “half the team in one hotel and the other half in another.”

Despite the mockery, Ali Tareen did offer a peace gesture, suggesting both sides sit down over “tea and biscuits” to resolve their differences.

“Let’s agree to end public criticism and work together to make PSL better,” he said.

The video ended with Tareen dramatically tearing up the PCB’s legal notice, a bold move that left no doubt about his stance.

“So, I hope you like my apology video,” he signed off with a wry smile, delivering one of the most daring responses yet to a PCB warning.

This clash is the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between Ali Tareen and the PCB. The Multan Sultans owner has consistently criticized the board, from its management style to the quality of the league and the hefty ownership fees. He’s rarely missed a chance to call out what he sees as the board’s shortcomings.

With both sides now seemingly headed for a legal battle, PSL fans are watching closely. The outcome could shape the future of the league for years to come.

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