Multan Sultans announcd new team captain for PSL 11
The newly resurrected Multan Sultans have officially announced their new team captain for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11. The franchise has appointed Australia’s Ashton Turner as skipper, handing over leadership duties to the seasoned middle-order batter for the tournament scheduled from March 26 to May 3, 2026 .
The appointment was confirmed via the team’s official social media channels, alongside the signing of the experienced right-handed batter who has established himself as a T20 specialist across multiple global leagues, including the BBL, The Hundred, IPL, SA20, and CPL .
Turner, 33, succeeds Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the Sultans in 58 matches, securing 33 victories and losing 25, with a win percentage of 56.89% . Rizwan notably led the team to their maiden PSL title in 2021, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final . However, in PSL 11, Rizwan will be leading the new PSL franchise Pindiz, which emerged from the original Sultans franchise that was acquired by the Walee Group .
Multan Sultans : Turner’s Impressive Credentials
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The Australian brings a wealth of T20 experience to the role, having amassed 4,103 runs in 252 matches at a strike rate of 142.56, including 17 half-centuries, while also claiming 38 wickets . At the international level, Turner has featured in 19 T20 Internationals for Australia, scoring 110 runs and taking four wickets .
What truly sets Turner apart is his remarkable record in the Big Bash League. He is a five-time BBL champion and has notably led the Perth Scorchers to three BBL titles as captain (BBL 11, 12, and 15), earning recognition as a calm and tactically sharp leader . In fact, Turner holds the record for the most BBL titles (5) won by any player in the competition’s history, having also been part of the Scorchers’ BBL|04 and BBL|06 campaigns .
His winning ratio as captain of 66.66 percent (42 wins, 19 losses) is bettered only by Adam Voges among those to have led their team at least 15 times in BBL history . The Perth Scorchers Head Coach Adam Voges has described Turner as “one of the finest leaders in the competition,” praising his “tactical nous and calm demeanour” that helps get the best out of his team .
Turner previously represented Multan Sultans in the last PSL season, appearing in three matches and scoring 15 runs .
Why Turner was Chosen
The Sultans management believes Turner’s leadership profile fits the franchise’s broader direction as it looks to build a more consistent, high-intensity identity. Known for his calm decision-making under pressure, aggressive batting in the middle order, and tactical awareness, Turner is expected to strengthen the team in crucial moments .
His leadership philosophy, revealed in interviews following his BBL triumphs, emphasizes preparation and adaptability. Speaking after his latest BBL title, Turner noted: “We have really high expectations of ourselves as a group and to be able to live up to those expectations is satisfying” . He also highlighted the importance of developing young talent, stating: “Our ability to keep our core group of players together has been integral to our success in the past and is very much our plan for the future” .
Franchise Revival and Ownership Changes
The announcement comes after significant changes to the franchise’s ownership structure. On March 3, the PSL franchise formerly known as Sialkot Stallionz was officially rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures, who acquired the stake from OZ Developers .
The development was announced during a joint press conference in Lahore attended by PSL CEO Salman Naseer, franchise owner Hamza Majeed, and CD Ventures chief Gohar Shah. CD Ventures acquired a majority stake in the franchise originally purchased by OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during the PSL auction in January. Following the latest developments, the franchise’s valuation has now increased to Rs 2 billion annually .
Gohar Shah, who now serves as the franchise’s CEO, explained his vision: “It was my wish that the name Multan Sultans remain, and for me it was necessary.” He outlined his broader cricketing philosophy, which he has named “Total Cricket,” stating: “Cricket should be played in a way that serves Pakistan cricket’s needs. In my opinion, the squad selected is correct. Final decisions on the playing XI and other matters will be taken once the camp begins” .
Interestingly, Shah’s journey to cricket ownership began with a personal dream of playing professionally. He had been selected in the Lahore Qalandars trial programme in 2017, bowling deliveries clocked at 84 mph, but an untimely injury just days before the tournament derailed his playing career . That injury paved the way for other players like Salman Irshad, while Shah eventually found his way back to the game as an entrepreneur .
Despite the name change, Majeed assured Sialkot supporters that their backing would not be forgotten. “We are grateful to Sialkot Stallionz fans for their encouragement. There will still be an element of the Stallionz identity visible in our campaign.” He also confirmed that transport arrangements will be made for Sialkot fans to attend Multan Sultans matches during the season .
Full Squad and Player Categories
The Sultans have unveiled their squad for the upcoming season, which includes notable players such as Steve Smith, Shan Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Tabraiz Shamsi, Peter Siddle, and Josh Philippe .
According to the PCB’s category renewals announced earlier this year, the complete Multan Sultans squad for PSL 11 includes :
Platinum Category:
- Ashton Turner (c) – appointed after initial renewals
- Mohammad Rizwan (since moved to Pindiz)
- Diamond Category:
- Usama Mir
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Usman Khan
- Gold Category:
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Faisal Akram
- Akif Javed
- Tayyab Tahir
- Silver Category:
- Yasir Khan
- Muhammad Amir Barki
- Mohammad Junaid
- Humayun Altaf
- Ali Imran
- Jahanzaib Sultan
- Ubaid Shah
- Emerging Category:
- Shahid Aziz
- Mohammad Zulkifal
- International Signings:
- Steve Smith (Australia)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa)
- Peter Siddle (Australia)
- Josh Philippe (Australia)
- Delano Potgieter (South Africa)
- Lachlan Shaw (Australia)
A Look Back at Rizwan’s Legacy
Mohammad Rizwan’s tenure as Multan Sultans captain transformed the franchise’s fortunes. When he replaced Shan Masood as captain in 2021, the team went on to win their maiden PSL title that same year . Rizwan and the Sultans didn’t look back from then, remaining the most consistent team in PSL thereafter. They played in the PSL final in 2022 as well, which was won by Lahore Qalandars, and made it to the final for the third consecutive year in 2023 .
During his captaincy, Rizwan also excelled with the bat, becoming the only batter in PSL history to score 500+ runs in three editions. After scoring 500 runs in PSL season 6 and 546 runs in season 7, he scored 516 runs in season 8, including his maiden PSL century .
Overall, Rizwan captained the Sultans in 58 matches, winning 33 and losing 25, making him the third-most successful captain in PSL history . He now takes on the challenge of leading the new Pindiz franchise in PSL 11.
PSL 11 Schedule and Context
The 11th edition of the PSL will begin on March 26, with defending champions Lahore Qalandars facing debutants Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore . A total of 44 matches will be played across six Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Karachi, Multan, and Peshawar.
The tournament marks a significant expansion to eight teams, with new franchises in Hyderabad and Rawalpindi joining the original six. This expansion has created a fascinating dynamic in the player market and added fresh rivalries to the competition.
Analysis by Best Pak Mag:
The Multan Sultans announce a bold new direction with Ashton Turner’s appointment, signaling a strategic shift from local reliance to international tactical experience. Turner’s remarkable record with Perth Scorchers—three BBL titles as captain and an overall five championships—suggests he possesses the rare ability to win knockout tournaments under pressure. His winning percentage of 66.66% in the BBL speaks volumes about his leadership capabilities. However, replacing a beloved figure like Mohammad Rizwan carries inherent risks. Rizwan’s 58 matches and 33 wins set a high bar, and his transformation of the Sultans from underachievers to perennial finalists created a strong emotional connection with fans. Turner’s previous PSL stint yielded only 15 runs in three games, raising questions about his adaptability to subcontinent conditions. The move makes strategic sense: Turner brings calmness under pressure, a proven ability to develop young talent, and a fresh tactical perspective. Yet Pakistani pitches demand different skills than Australian surfaces, and his success will depend on blending his international experience with local talent like Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, and Iftikhar Ahmed. The ownership change under Gohar Shah adds another layer of intrigue—his “Total Cricket” philosophy and personal passion for the game could provide the stability needed for a long-term project. If Turner translates his BBL magic to Multan, this gamble could pay off handsomely and establish the Sultans as a dominant force in Pakistani cricket.
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