LAHORE: New CEO of Multan Sultans Gohar Shah has planned to transform his franchise with aggression both on and off the field.
In his first detailed interview since becoming CEO and Strategic Partner of Multan Sultans, Gohar Shah spoke candidly about his philosophy of “Total Cricket,” the psychology of players, and his long-term plans for South Punjab. His remarks shed light on how he intends to reshape the franchise both on and off the field.
Addressing the tendency of bowlers to retreat into a defensive approach after conceding boundaries, Shah emphasized the importance of resilience and faith. “It makes me laugh that as a resilient nation and a people of faith, we sometimes have such ‘small hearts.’ When you have worked hard and trust your talent and your faith in Allah, what is there to fear?”
He acknowledged that financial insecurity often drives players into survival mode, noting that broader economic improvements in Pakistan would help athletes feel secure enough to play with freedom.
Shah observed that while international players thrive in professional environments, some Pakistani players lose their spark once they achieve a certain level of comfort. “Once a player secures a house or financial stability, they sometimes stop working with that same desperate hunger,” he explained. He stressed that it is the responsibility of players to continually address weaknesses, rather than stagnate.
When asked about whether he would judge players purely on statistics, Shah clarified that support comes in two forms: financial and cricketing. At the PSL level, he noted, players are well-compensated. But cricketing support requires understanding individual psychology. “Some need reassurance, others perform better when challenged. As an owner, I will sit with coaches to profile each player’s personality. Under ‘Total Cricket,’ professionalism is non-negotiable.”
Shah dismissed traditional talent hunts as ineffective, arguing that judging players on a handful of deliveries is unfair. Instead, he outlined a plan to integrate with Pakistan’s domestic ecosystem year-round, sponsoring and improving club-level cricket in Multan and Bahawalpur. “If we are involved in the domestic structure, players will naturally want to play for us because they know it’s a pathway to the PSL,” he said.
Shah concluded with a passionate appeal to fans: “Congratulations to everyone! It felt like South Punjab wouldn’t have a team this year, but we made a promise and we delivered. My expectation is simple: I want to see a full house in Multan. Not a single empty seat! Make it so difficult for visiting teams that they feel overwhelmed.”
