Ali Tareen blames his Multan Sultans for Pakistan’s 2024 World Cup loss

Owner of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, Ali Khan Tareen, believes his team was responsible for Pakistan’s underwhelming performance and subsequent exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.

Appearing on the YouTube channel ‘Relukattay’ to discuss PSL 10 categories, Tareen reflected on PSL 9 in conversation with host Salaar, talking about Sultans’ defeat against Islamabad United in the final, which had paved way for Imad Wasim’s return to the national squad.

“That was Imad Wasim’s day,” Salaar said while referring to the PSL 9 final that saw Islamabad chasing the 162-run target set by Multan. Imad had played a key role in the chase with his crucial boundaries when 19 runs were needed off 12 balls.

Recalling that day, Tareen shared what he told a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official. “When the match ended, I was standing at the ceremony with a member of the PCB. I told him that I was apologising in advance because, due to us, Imad Wasim was now in the World Cup squad and he would get us killed at the World Cup.”

“He looked at me and said ‘son… I know… you're absolutely right’, and that's exactly what happened. He played the World Cup because of us, and Pakistan suffered… so Multan Sultans takes the blame for it,” Tareen added.

The 2024 T20 World Cup squad, which included Imad, was announced by PCB’s selection committee after PSL 9.

He played three matches in the tournament, scoring 19 runs and taking three wickets. In a crucial match against India, he scored 15 runs off 23 balls while chasing a total of 120. Pakistan lost the match by six runs, and Imad faced significant criticism for his poor batting performance.

He announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024.

Want to read about Yuzvendra Chahal's divorce?