Multan Sultans first team to be out of playoffs

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) tenth edition is in the final stage, Islamabad United, Quetta Gladitors, Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings are expected to qualify for the playoffs.

On the other hand, Multan Sultan and Peshawar Zalmai are on the verge of elimination. Despite assembling a good team, the Sultans have struggled to achieve consistent success. This raises an important question: why did a team with talented players falter despite their potential?

Multan Sultans team was founded in 2017, the third season of Pakistan Super League as an additional sixth team. After consistent good performances in the first four seasons, Multan 0finally won its first PSL title in the 2021 season under Mohammad Rizwan.

Under the double round-robin format, each team plays every other team twice, with the top four progressing to the playoffs.

With the league stage nearing its conclusion, their qualification for the playoffs now hinges on a flawless run of results and favourable outcomes elsewhere.

On the other hand, Islamabad United maintained their perfect record in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) following a commanding run through the first half of the tournament, while the race for the playoff spots remains wide open.

Islamabad, who have won all first five of their matches so far, sit comfortably at the top of the points table with 10 points and a healthy net run rate of 2.342.

Multan Sultans find themselves in an elimination position after securing only one win from seven matches, placing them at the bottom of the table with only two points and a poor net run rate.

In the Pakistan Super League 2025, Multan Sultans is the most expensive team, with an estimated net worth of $6.3 million (Rs 53.79 crore).

The second most expensive team is Karachi Kings, with an estimated net worth of $2.6 million (Rs 22.20 crore).

Lahore Qalandars is the third most expensive, wit­h an estimated net worth of $2.5 million (Rs 21.35 crore).

Despite the most expensive team in the 10 th edition, Multan’s performance not upto the mark.

Its become the first team to eliminate from the playoffs.

Before PSL 10, the Multan Sultans had built a reputation for having a balanced squad with seasoned international stars and promising domestic talent. Players like Mohammad Rizwan, Michael Bracewell, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir formed the core of a formidable line-up.

But the chosen bowling combination was quite weak as there is no leading bowler included in the squad. David Willey Chris Jordan, Mohammad Hasnain are quite experienced but in ground, they failed to deliver.

The bowling attack has faced challenges in restricting opponents. Despite having some experienced bowlers, the team has lacked consistency and discipline in crucial moments. The inability to take early wickets and defend totals has resulted in frequent losses. Moreover, injuries to key bowlers during the season further weakened their bowling strength.

One of the core reasons behind the Sultans’ underperformance in this season inconsistency.

They often started well but failed to capitalise on momentum or secure crucial victories.

In PSL 10, the team faced difficulties in maintaining form across the league stages, leading to missed opportunities. The failure to perform under pressure in tight situations was evident, with some matches slipping away due to lapses in concentration or tactical errors.

While the team had talented players, strategic planning and tactical execution sometimes fell short. The Sultans struggled to adapt quickly to different match situations or opposition tactics.

For example, their bowling attack occasionally lacked variation or clarity in executing plans, and the batting order was sometimes misaligned to counter specific bowling styles. Such tactical lapses often resulted in narrow defeats or subpar performances.

Another crucial factor was the mental aspect. T20 cricket is as much about mental resilience as technical skill. The Sultans occasionally appeared mentally fragile in high-pressure situations, leading to unnecessary mistakes. Team chemistry and leadership also influence performance, and while Mohammad Rizwan is a strong leader, the team lacked a cohesive strategic approach that could consistently guide them through challenging phases.

Multan Sultans, despite their talent, sometimes found themselves outclassed in terms of experience and game awareness. External factors like weather conditions, pitch behavior, and crowd influence can also tilt results, and the Sultans, at times, failed to adapt swiftly.

With playoffs approaching fast, the pressure is squarely on Rizwan and his Sultans to turn their campaign around-before it’s too late.

Muhammad Rizwan, renowned for his consistency and leadership qualities, was entrusted with the captaincy of Multan Sultans in PSL 10. Expectations were high for the team to perform strongly under his leadership. However, the season has been disappointing, with the Sultans managing to secure only one win in seven matches so far. Several factors contributed to this underwhelming performance.

Firstly, the team’s batting unit has struggled to click collectively. While Rizwan himself is a reliable batsman and the top scorer of the tournament till the sixth game, but the lack of support from other top-order players has hampered the team's ability to set competitive totals or chase effectively. The middle order has often failed to stabilize innings after early wickets, leading to inconsistent performances.

Strategic errors and poor fielding standards have also played a role. In some matches, tactical decisions did not pay off, and missed chances on the field cost the team dearly. Such lapses undermine team morale and momentum.

Cricket is a game of confidence. The pressure of a poor start can impact team morale, and the Sultans have struggled to find a winning rhythm. Leadership-wise, Rizwan has tried to motivate his team, but the lack of consistent performances has made it difficult to turn matches in their favour.

It’s essential for them to treat every game from this point onward as a knockout match, not only to revive their own chances but also to keep the PSL 10 exciting right up until the final group stage game, where they will face the Quetta Gladiators.

Despite having a good team on paper, Multan Sultans’ failure in PSL 10 can be attributed to a combination of inconsistency, tactical shortcomings, mental fragility, and stiff competition.

Cricket is a complex sport where talent alone does not guarantee success; it demands strategic planning, mental resilience, and cohesive teamwork. Moving forward, the Sultans need to focus on building team chemistry, refining tactics, and fostering mental toughness to convert talent into trophies. Only then can they hope to realise their true potential in future editions of PSL.

The Multan Sultans’ poor run in PSL 10 can be attributed to a combination of batting failures, bowling lapses, strategic errors, and psychological pressure. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if they can turn their fortunes around and improve their standings.

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