LAHORE: In a major leadership shift, the Multan Sultans have appointed Australian T20 specialist Ashton Turner as captain for the upcoming HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, set to begin on March 26, 2026.
Turner succeeds Mohammad Rizwan, who has moved to the newly formed franchise Pindiz, following a significant restructuring of the Sultans. Earlier this month, the franchise was rebranded from Sialkot Stallionz back to Multan Sultans after a takeover by CD Ventures. The 33-year-old brings a proven track record of leadership and success, Six-Time BBL Champion, a cornerstone of the Perth Scorchers, Turner has captained them to multiple titles, including their recent sixth championship. With 252 T20 matches, he has scored over 4,100 runs at a strike rate of 142.56, establishing himself as a calm finisher and aggressive middle-order batter. This marks Turner’s second stint in the PSL, having previously represented the Sultans as a replacement player.
Gohar Shah (CEO, Multan Sultans) stated: “We are thrilled to have Ashton Turner lead the Sultans for PSL 11. He brings a winning mentality and tactical sharpness that we believe will elevate the standards of our squad. His leadership profile aligns perfectly with the high-intensity identity we are building for this franchise.” Ashton Turner emphasized: “Leading Multan Sultans is a proud opportunity. I am looking forward to representing the supporters and taking on the challenge of captaining such a talented group of players. My focus is on delivering a season that our fans can truly celebrate.”
The squad features a powerful mix of international stars and local talent including overseas stars like Steve Smith (Australia), Tabraiz Shamsi (South Africa), Peter Siddle (Australia), Josh Philippe (Australia) while local strength has Sahibzada Farhan (top scorer of the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage), Shan Masood (Pakistan Test Captain), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza.
“Now with Ashton Turner at the helm, the Multan Sultans are aiming to blend international experience with local firepower. The franchise’s rebranding and leadership change signal a fresh chapter, as they look to mount a serious challenge for the PSL 11 title,” said Gohar.
