Multan Sultans Archives

Muhammad Shahzad joins Multan Sultans for PSL 11

Multan Sultans have strengthened the squad with the signing of emerging all-rounder Muhammad Shahzad ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The franchise announced the signing through social media handles in a press release statement.

“The Multan Sultans are proud to announce the signing of dynamic all-rounder Muhammad Shahzad ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season,” the statement read.

“Hailing from Dera Ghazi Khan (DG Khan), Shahzad’s addition to the squad reinforces the franchise’s deep commitment to identifying, nurturing, and showcasing the immense cricketing talent found right here in South Punjab,” it added.

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Shahzad, 22, played six matches for Islamabad United in PSL 10. Overall, he has played 23 T20s, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 126.71.

Following the announcement, the new owner of the franchise, Gohar Shah, hailed Shahzad’s talent, calling him the next big all-rounder from the global stage.

“It is incredibly important for us to sign players who truly know what it means to play for our badge, and Muhammad Shahzad embodies the spirit and passion of South Punjab,” he said.

“He is a phenomenal talent, and I firmly believe he has the potential to become one of the top all-rounders in the world. We cannot wait to be a part of his growth and his journey, and we are fully committed to giving him the platform he needs to shine,” Gohar added.

The PSL 11 is set to begin on March 26, with the opening match scheduled between the defending champions, Lahore Qalandars, and the newly added franchise, Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Overall, 44 matches will be played in the event, including the final.

Multan Sultans Squad

Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Steve Smith, Jahanzaib Sultan, Sahibzada Farhan, Ashton Turner (c), Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Phillippe, Shan Masood, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar.

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Ashton Turner named Multan Sultans captain ahead of PSL 11

Multan Sultans have announced Australia’s Ashton Turner as the new captain of the franchise ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, set to run from March 26 to May 3.

The appointment was confirmed via the team’s official social media channels, alongside the signing of the seasoned middle-order batter and five-time Big Bash League (BBL) champion.

Turner, 33, has established himself as a T20 specialist across multiple global leagues, including the BBL, Men’s The Hundred, IPL, SA20, and the CPL.

In his T20 career so far, he has amassed 4,103 runs in 252 matches at a strike rate of 142.56, including 17 fifties, while also claiming 38 wickets.

Internationally, Turner has featured in 19 T20Is for Australia, scoring 110 runs and taking four wickets.

Turner previously played for Multan Sultans in the last PSL season, appearing in three matches and scoring 15 runs.

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He now succeeds Mohammad Rizwan, who captained the Sultans in 58 matches, winning 33 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.

Notably, the revival of Multan Sultans for PSL 11 comes after a series of last-minute franchise changes.

The original Sultans franchise was acquired by the Walee Group and rebranded as Pindiz, initially raising doubts about the team’s participation.

However, on March 3, the PSL franchise formerly known as Sialkot Stallionz was rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures.

Gohar Shah, CEO of CD Ventures, acquired the majority stake from OZ Developers, who had purchased the franchise for PKR 1.85 billion, raising the franchise’s annual valuation to PKR 2 billion.

READ: BCCI announces massive cash reward for India’s T20 World Cup-winning side

Ali Tareen reacts to Multan Sultans’ return to PSL

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has publicly thanked Gohar Shah for restoring the franchise to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that Gohar Shah-led CD Ventures had taken control of the Sialkot Stallionz franchise, originally purchased by OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during January’s PSL auction.

The development was announced in a joint press conference in Lahore attended by PSL CEO Salman Naseer and OZ Developers’ Hamza Majeed.

Naseer revealed that following the takeover and restructuring, the franchise’s valuation has now risen to Rs 2 billion annually. He also confirmed that, at Shah’s request, Sialkot Stallionz would be rebranded as Multan Sultans.

Taking to his official X account, Ali Tareen reflected on his time with the franchise and the emotional impact of Multan’s removal from the PSL.

“After seven years with Multan Sultans, I left with no regrets. That chapter of my life gave me some of my proudest moments, and I will always be grateful for it,” he wrote.

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“The only moment that truly affected me was when Multan was removed from the league. That hurt. More than anything. Not because of what it meant for me, but because of what it meant for the fans and the people of South Punjab.”

Tareen highlighted the team’s significance for the region, describing the Sultans as more than just a cricket side.

“South Punjab has always been underrepresented. Its people are passionate, talented, and deserve every platform they can get,” he wrote.

“Multan Sultans was never just a cricket team. It was a symbol of pride for an entire region that has long been overlooked.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude to Gohar Shah for reviving the franchise.

“I want to thank Gohar Shah for fighting for the people of South Punjab and bringing Multan Sultans back to the PSL,” he stated.

“The city has its team again. South Punjab has its voice again.”

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‘New Sultans have arrived’: Gohar Shah addresses fans after Multan takeover

Multan Sultans’ new owner, Syed Gohar Shah, has issued an emotional statement to fans after his company, CD Ventures, successfully acquired a majority stake in the franchise ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11.

The development was announced in a joint press conference in Lahore attended by PSL CEO Salman Naseer and outgoing franchise owner Hamza Majeed.

In a heartfelt message directed at the people of South Punjab and PSL supporters worldwide, Shah described the return of Multan Sultans as a moment of “profound pride and incredible joy.”

“Our beloved Multan Sultans, the true representatives of our region, are officially back in the HBL PSL,” he said.

Recalling his earliest cricketing memories from Jalalpur Pirwala, Shah painted a nostalgic picture of village matches and the unity they fostered.

“My mind goes back to my very first memory of cricket in my village, a local match at one of Haveli Lang’s school grounds, Jalalpur Pirwala versus Balewala,” he shared.

“I still vividly remember the uplifting atmosphere in the village that day, especially after the final ball was bowled. The joy, the unity, and the sheer energy of that community are feelings I have carried with me ever since.”

He explained that his motivation behind acquiring the franchise rested on two key pillars: protecting regional representation and elevating the standard of cricket.

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“I wanted to ensure that no one could strip our region of its right to be represented on Pakistan’s biggest stage,” he stated.

“I want us to play a brand of cricket that is not only thrilling to watch but also strengthens the foundation of Pakistan’s cricketing ecosystem, helping us compete and dominate on the global stage.”

Gohar Shah urged fans to rally behind the team, reminding them of the franchise’s remarkable record, four finals in the last five PSL seasons.

“We held the line to save this team, and now we expect you to hold the stands,” he said. “Going forward, we need your absolute support and complete buy-in.”

The new owner extended special thanks to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, for what he described as decisive leadership in facilitating the franchise’s swift return.

He also acknowledged Salman Naseer for his instrumental role in finalising the transition, as well as his father, Barrister Najaf Shah, and adviser Imran Ahmad Khan for guiding the acquisition process.

Shah further appreciated his internal team for working “day and night” to complete the deal just weeks before the start of PSL 11.

In a notable gesture, he also thanked the Tareen family for their contributions in building the franchise into one of the league’s powerhouses.

“I must also take a moment to thank the Tareen family for the immense work they put into building this franchise into the powerhouse it is today,” he said.

Gihar Shah concluded his message with a rallying cry to supporters: “It is time, Multan. The new Sultans have arrived.”

READ: Lahore Qalandars to face THIS team in PSL 11 opener

Sialkot Stallionz rebranded as Multan Sultans after CD Ventures takeover

LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, Sialkot Stallionz, has officially been rebranded as Multan Sultans following a majority takeover by CD Ventures, PSL CEO Salman Naseer confirmed on Tuesday.

The development was announced during a joint press conference in Lahore attended by Naseer, franchise owner Hamza Majeed and CD Ventures chief Gohar Shah.

CD Ventures has acquired a majority stake in the franchise, originally purchased by OZ Developers for Rs 1.85 billion during the PSL auction in January.

Naseer revealed that following the latest developments, the franchise’s valuation has now increased to Rs 2 billion annually.

“Gohar Shah requested to change the franchise’s name after becoming CEO, and that request has been accepted,” Naseer said. “Sialkot Stallionz will now compete as Multan Sultans.”

Majeed described the arrangement as a strategic partnership approved by both the PCB and the PSL.

“With PCB and PSL’s approval, this strategic partnership has been finalised,” Majeed said. “CD Ventures’ Gohar Shah is now our strategic partner and will serve as the franchise’s CEO going forward.”

He praised Shah’s enthusiasm, adding, “Gohar Shah’s passion and drive are even greater than mine. Seeing his energy makes me happy, and I welcome him to our league.”

Speculation had surrounded the Sialkot franchise in recent weeks amid reports that OZ Developers had offloaded a significant portion of their shares after one of their partners withdrew shortly after the PSL auction.

There were also unverified claims of financial trouble within the parent company, which Majeed publicly denied last week, confirming only that talks with CD Ventures were ongoing.

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Speaking at the press conference, Gohar Shah confirmed he has officially joined the franchise as CEO and expressed his desire to restore South Punjab’s representation in the league.

“A stallion alone cannot win the PSL. To move forward, a stallion needs a sultan, and we have come as Sultans,” he remarked.

He added that retaining the Multan identity was important to him.

“It was my wish that the name Multan Sultans remain, and for me it was necessary,” he added.

Shah outlined his broader cricketing vision, stating that he has named it “Total Cricket.”

“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,” he said.

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,” he said. “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.

The rebranding marks a significant shift ahead of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 11, which is scheduled to commence on March 26 across five venues in the country.

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PSL 11: Walee Technologies renames Multan franchise to Rawalpindi

LAHORE: Walee Technologies bought the Multan Franchise and announced to rename it Rawalpindi after the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction for a record price of PKR 2.45 billion at the Expo Centre Lahore.

06:45 PM – Auction Begins
The PSL franchise auction for the Multan team has officially started. Five bidders are competing to secure the rights for the latest additions to the league.

Base Price for Multan team: PKR 1,820,000,000

CD Ventures makes the first bid of PKR 1,830,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 1,900,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 1,910,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 2,000,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,010,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 2,050,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,060,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 2,070,000,000

Particle Igniter counters with PKR 2,140,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,150,000,000

Particle Igniter counters with PKR 2,180,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,190,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 2,200,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,210,000,000

Particle Igniter counters with PKR 2,250,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,260,000,000

Particle Igniter counters with PKR 2,300,000,000

CD Ventures counters with PKR 2,350,000,000

Particle Igniter counters with PKR 2,370,000,000

Walee Technologies counters with PKR 2,450,000,000

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed a list of five qualified bidders who will compete for the rights to own the Multan franchise.

The bidders are: Walee Technologies, Aim Next Inc., Deharki Sugar Mills (DSM), Particle Igniter, and CD Ventures.

The successful bidder will acquire the Multan franchise, previously known as Multan Sultans, and may choose to retain the existing name or rebrand the team entirely.

Auction Rules

All bids shall be quoted in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).

The minimum incremental bid from the base price announced by PCB shall be PKR 10,000,000 (rupees ten million only).

No bid increase of less than the minimum incremental bid shall be accepted.

Bidders may choose to make a bid in excess of the minimum incremental bid. No limit.

Each bidder shall have the right to exercise one (1) strategic timeout of up to five (5) minutes, only once during each round of the auction.

During this strategic timeout, bidders may consult with their representatives before deciding their future course of action in the auction, but shall not be permitted to communicate with other bidders.

A bidding round shall be declared closed when the highest incremental bid in excess of the base price is not surpassed by any other bidder despite a final call by the auctioneer.

Upon closure of the bidding round, the highest valid bid in excess of the base price shall be provisionally declared the winning bid.

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The franchise is up for sale after former owner Ali Tareen decided not to renew his contract in November 2025, citing strained relations with the PCB that had persisted for over a year.

However, Tareen is once again in the race to take control of the Multan franchise, with his company, DSM, participating in the auction.

For context, Multan Sultans won the PSL title in 2021 under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final.

After winning the title in 2021, they finished as runners-up in the next three seasons.

READ: PSL 11 auction: Base prices of Haris Rauf, Amir, Rizwan revealed

Ali Tareen reveals his strategy for Multan Sultans auction

Former Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has made his position clear ahead of the franchise’s much-anticipated ownership auction, stating he will only reacquire the team if the price is right and not at any cost.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to hold the auction for the Multan-based franchise on February 9, with Tareen among the five qualified bidders shortlisted by the board’s bid committee.

Addressing speculation over his intentions, Tareen released a video message on Instagram, confirming his participation while urging fans to keep “realistic expectations.”

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“We have submitted our papers, and we are one of the qualified bidders for the team,” Tareen said. “But I want everyone to have realistic expectations and temper them. It’s not a given that I will go for Multan Sultans at any cost.”

Tareen described his seven-year association with the franchise as one of the most memorable chapters of his life, highlighting the emotional connection he still holds with the team and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It has been a privilege to own Multan Sultans for seven years. It has been one of the highlights of my life,” he said. “I love PSL and being part of it, whether I’m in the stands or in the dugout. Maybe I’m a little happier being in the dugout.”

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However, he made it clear that he would not engage in a bidding war simply to regain ownership, stressing that financial prudence will guide his decision.

“If we are getting the team at a good price, then definitely we will buy it. But buying at any cost is not the plan,” he added.

Ali Tareen concluded his message by thanking supporters for their continued backing and enthusiasm to see him return as owner of the Sultans, while once again emphasising the need for realistic expectations ahead of the auction.

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PSL owner-less franchise Multan Sultans auction date revealed

LAHORE: The auction date for the ownerless Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans has been announced.

The announcement was confirmed through PSL social media accounts.

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The auction for the 2021 season winners will be held on February 9 in Lahore.

Two days earlier, PCB announced the five shortlisted bidders in the race to acquire the franchise following completion of the technical evaluation process.

On 14 January 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formally initiated the process to sell the ownership rights of the PSL franchise Multan Sultans, issuing an advertisement inviting interested parties to submit bids for the auction.

The PCB confirmed that bids are being sought for the franchise rights of the 2021 PSL champions. The deadline for submitting documents for the technical proposal was originally set for January 30 and was later moved forward.

The process began after the departure of Multan Sultans’ former owner, Ali Tareen, who announced in November that he was stepping away from the franchise.

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The reason for Tareen’s departure was strained relations with the PCB that had persisted for over a year, ultimately reaching a point of no return.

Subsequently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the board would assume control of the franchise upon expiry of the existing ownership agreement on December 31, 2025.

The initial plan was for the PCB to operate the team for a year before auctioning it in 2027.

However, strong valuations achieved in the recent auction are understood to have encouraged the PCB to proceed with the sale of Multan Sultans earlier than planned.

The landmark auction, held at the Jinnah Convention Centre last month, saw FKS Group and OZ Developers acquire the newly added franchises from Hyderabad and Sialkot for Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively, expanding the PSL to eight teams from season 11.

For the unversed, PSL 11 is set to kick off on 26 March, with the auction scheduled for 11 February.

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Multan Sultans to go into PSL 11 auction with zero retentions

Multan Sultans have decided not to retain a single player from their previous squad ahead of the historic Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 players auction, scheduled to take place on February 11.

The upcoming edition of the PSL will mark a major shift in the league’s player recruitment system, as the traditional draft format has been replaced with an auction-based model for the first time in tournament history.

In the first 10 seasons, franchises were allowed to retain up to eight players before the draft.

However, under the revised PSL 11 regulations, teams were permitted to retain a maximum of four players across different categories, forcing franchises into tough calls ahead of the auction.

Multan had 18 players placed across various categories for the auction pool. Their captain, Mohammad Rizwan, was listed in the Platinum category, while Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Khan were placed in the Diamond category.

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The Gold category included Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Faisal Akram, Akif Javed and Tayyab Tahir.

Meanwhile, Yasir Khan, Amir Barki, Mohammad Junaid, Humayun Altaf, Ali Imran, Jahanzaib Sultan and Ubaid Shah were slotted into the Silver category, with Shahid Aziz and Mohammad Zulfikar listed under the Emerging category.

Despite having key players available for retention, the franchise confirmed through its official account on the social media platform X that it will enter the auction with zero retentions.

“Multan Sultans will enter the PSL Players Auction with zero retentions and a full USD 1.6 million in the purse,” the franchise wrote.

It is pertinent to mention that the Multan franchise is currently without an owner, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to conduct an auction for the franchise’s ownership rights, although the date for the bidding process has not yet been announced.

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PSL 11: PCB finalises five bidders for Multan Sultans auction

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday confirmed that it has approved five bidders for the auction of the owner-less Multan Sultans ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11.

The PCB confirmed the bidders in a press release following the technical evaluation of the proposals.

“A total of six proposals were received from interested parties within the stipulated deadline. The PCB bid committee then carried out a thorough and transparent evaluation process,” the PCB said.

“Out of the six proposals, five (5) bidders have been termed technically qualified, who will now take part in the Auction process of the Multan Sultans. The date and venue for the Auction will be shared in due course,” it added.

Following the announcement, the Chief Executive Officer of PSL, Salman Nasee,r expressed his excitement and shared his thoughts on the evaluation process.

“We are delighted to receive such keen interest in the sale of Multan Sultans’ Franchise Rights,” he said.

“The HBL PSL congratulates the technically qualified bidders and appreciates all parties who engaged with us through-out the tender process; with whom we will continue to explore other exciting opportunities,” he added.

He mentioned the league’s new era and expressed confidence ahead of the PSL 11 auction.

“I’m sure the fans are equally excited for another thrilling Team Auction before the focus shifts to all important Player Auction for HBL PSL 11. The final lineup of the eight HBL PSL team owners is going to set the ball rolling for the New Era of the HBL PSL 11,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the process began after the departure of Multan Sultans’ former owner, Ali Tareen, who announced in November that he was stepping away from the franchise.

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The reason for Tareen’s departure was strained relations with the PCB that had persisted for over a year, ultimately reaching a point of no return.

Subsequently, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the board would assume control of the franchise upon expiry of the existing ownership agreement on December 31, 2025.

The initial plan was for the PCB to operate the team for a year before auctioning it in 2027.

However, strong valuations achieved in the recent auction are understood to have encouraged the PCB to proceed with the sale of Multan Sultans earlier than planned.

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