Sultans upbeat to make a mark in PSL

Muhammad Asif Khan

KARACHI: The new entrant to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Multan Sultans are fresh but upbeat to uproot the formidable outfits in the third edition of the competition.

In an informal interaction with journalists here on Friday, the Managing Director of Multan Sultans, Khizer Schon shared the idea behind acquiring the most expensive outfit in the Pakistan Super League.

“The passion for cricket in Multan is unmatched and this is one of the reasons of buying this name. We have recently witnessed the enthusiasm, when record number of people turned up to watch an exhibition game,” Schon said

“That was the biggest gathering in the history of the city”, Schon added

The MD said that the team is obviously new but had players to create impact from the onset.

“Under Wasim Akram, Sultans assembled a combination which can rattle any opposition. We are not here to just make our presence felt but to win the cup eventually”, Schon lightheartedly said

Highlighting their strategy for the region, Khizer Schon said it is a long-term roadmap which includes game development at every level.

“To begin with we will scout players from the area. Our focus will be on younger players to comprise junior outfits of Multan Sultans”, Schon said

“We also look forward to assembling women teams by holding events amongst local universities”, the MD said

In the end the Multan Sultans MD shared good news about their foreign players who, he said, are ready to tour Pakistan, if there team qualify for the final games.

@mak_asif

Cricket – Shoaib Malik become Captain of PSL franchise

LAHORE: Multan Sultans – the sixth franchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) — announced that star all-rounder Shoaib Malik would be the team’s captain, along with former Pakistan test cricketer Nadeem Khan as team manager.

Right-handed opening specialist batsmen Mohammad Wasim has been appointed to take charge as the team’s batting mentor with former Proteas skipper Johan Botha joining the team as assistant coach.

And to ensure supreme healthcare for the players, former Indian cricket team’s physiotherapist Andrew Leipus, who is currently also serving as Kolkata Knight Riders’ physiotherapist in the Indian Premier League (IPL), also joins the star-studded coaching panel as physiotherapist for Multan Sultans during the third edition of the PSL.

Commenting on the appointment of Shoaib Malik as the skipper, Wasim Akram, director cricket of Multan Sultans, said, “Shoaib has been in the form of his life, and the rich experience that he possesses after featuring in almost every global T20 league, makes him the best choice to lead the unit.”

“His all-round contribution will significantly benefit every single player in the team, and I am very excited to see him perform in the next PSL season,” he added.

Former right-handed stylish opening batsmen, Mohammad Wasim, who will take the charge as batting mentor for Multan Sultans, has been in the news for his noticeable contribution to the local cricket talent, courtesy of his own cricket academy, the Mohammad Wasim Cricket Academy (MWCA), where he has been resolute in nurturing the young talent which the country possesses.

The induction of Proteas expertise in form of former South African skipper is noticeable, as Johan Botha also has had a taste of the PSL with his previous stint with Islamabad United in the second edition of PSL.

The addition of former test cricket Nadeem Khan as team manager will add uniformity to the team, as he is known for his cool and calm style.

The franchise also adds Yasir Malik as the team’s strength and conditioning coach, who has been serving in the same capacity for the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

“The addition of Mohammad Wasim and Johan Botha to the coaching staff under the tutelage of our Head Coach Tom Moody reflects the strength of our coaching pool, while Nadeem Khan’s expertise within the capacity of the team’s manager is welcoming,” said Asher Schon, president of Multan Sultans.

“We are thrilled to have Shoaib in our franchise, looking forward to him leading the unit courtesy his aggressive style of game play, and he definitely will have a huge impact for Multan Sultans this season both with bat & ball, and his magical fielding skills,” he concluded.

The announcement came as the drafting of players for the third edition of PSL happens today and preparations are in full swing to welcome Multan Sultans as the sixth team to feature in the glamorous league.