Multan Sultans brimming with confidence ahead of HBL PSL 10

With the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 10 set to begin on April 11 in Rawalpindi, Multan Sultans are widely seen as one of the top contenders for the title.

Led by Mohammad Rizwan, the franchise has consistently made it to the final in the last four seasons, lifting the trophy in 2021. This track record, coupled with a well-rounded squad, makes them a strong side for the tournament—which, for the first time, will be held during the April-May period.

The expected high temperatures are likely to influence team strategies and could challenge all six franchises when it comes to managing their playing XIs. The dry conditions may favor spin bowlers at certain points in matches, and big hitters might find it difficult to dominate in the latter stages of innings.

Sultans have already kicked off their preparations with a training camp at their home ground—the Multan Cricket Stadium—a venue where they’ve traditionally been a dominant force.

Head coach Abdul Rehman expressed his satisfaction with the squad’s composition, saying they’re well-balanced in all departments.

“We’ve got a solid lineup covering all aspects of the game,” he said while speaking to Nukta from Multan.

“We’ve got quality spin bowlers, and our pace attack includes the likes of Chris Jordan, Akif Javed, David Willey, and Mohammad Hasnain, who are all capable of performing at a high level.”

Rehman also emphasized the strength in their batting unit.

“Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Johnson Charles, Tayyab Tahir, and Shai Hope are all dependable options who can handle pressure situations,” he said.

He added that the timing of this year’s tournament influenced their team-building approach.

“Since the PSL is happening in April and May, we focused on bringing in batsmen who are strong against spin. Having Kamran Ghulam in the middle order is also a big bonus for us.”

Rehman is particularly optimistic about the potential of young Shahid Aziz.

“He’s a talented emerging all-rounder, and I have high hopes for him,” Rehman noted.

When asked if the toss could influence match outcomes, Rehman pointed out that the conditions may gradually tilt in favor of spin.

“The pitch is likely to start off well but may become drier and slower as the game progresses, offering more support to spinners,” he explained.

On Tuesday, the team is set to welcome its foreign signings and players returning from national duty, bolstering their lineup even further.

“Our track record speaks for itself—we’ve been consistent with four straight final appearances. We’re confident we can maintain that standard this season too,” Rehman concluded.

Sultans will begin their campaign against Karachi Kings at the National Stadium in Karachi on April 12.

Squad:Michael Bracewell, Mohammad Rizwan (c) and Usama Mir (all Platinum), David Willey (mentor), Iftikhar Ahmed (Brand Ambassador) and Usman Khan (all Diamond), Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hasnain (all Gold), Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little, Faisal Akram and Tayyab Tahir (all Silver), Ubaid Shah and Shahid Aziz (both Emerging)

Supplementary: Johnson Charles, Muhammad Amir Barki, Shai Hope and Yasir Khan