In the last three seasons, Multan Sultans, a team that consistently made it to the finals, faces a pivotal challenge if they aspire to clinch the PSL championship in 2024. They must address these critical issues without delay.

Rilee Rossouw’s Departure: A Test for Multan Sultans’ Strategy

One of the foremost concerns is the departure of Rilee Rossouw. A glance at the Multan Sultans’ PSL 2024 squad reveals significant voids left by key players who have either exited the PSL scene or switched allegiances to other teams. The most notable among these is Rilee Rossouw, whose absence will be deeply felt by the Sultans in this season. Rossouw, having moved to Quetta Gladiators, not only finds a new team but also steps into a leadership role as the franchise’s captain. 

Reflecting on his contributions in PSL 2023, Rossouw was instrumental, single-handedly accounting for 21% of Multan Sultans’ total runs. His role extended beyond just scoring; he brought stability to the middle order and was pivotal in anchoring the innings. The task of filling the void left by Rossouw presents a daunting challenge for Captain Rizwan and the team’s management, underscoring the strategic dilemmas they must navigate to rebuild and fortify the team’s composition for a successful campaign in PSL 9.

Filling the Void: Multan Sultans Without Premier Finishers

As we discussed earlier, key players who were at the heart of Multan Sultans’ success last year have either moved to other teams or left the PSL altogether. Multan Sultans were privileged to have world-class finishers like Kieron Pollard, Tim David, and David Miller in their ranks. Every cricket fan is well aware of these T20 giants. The graphics underscore their prowess, with each of these stars maintaining a strike rate exceeding 150 in the death overs of T20 cricket. Their departure has created a significant void in the squad. 

The pressing question now is: who will step up to fill the gap left by these superstars? This responsibility falls on the shoulders of Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed, both of whom are under scrutiny due to questions about their form.

Iftikhar Ahmed, in particular, has seen a significant dip in his recent performances. Khushdil Shah, too, has his limitations, having failed to deliver any notable performances in the recent past. The fate of Multan Sultans in this year’s title race hinges on the performances of these two players. They must rise to the occasion if Multan Sultans are to claim the championship.

Multan Sultans’ Bowling Dilemma: Overcoming Key Absences in PSL 9

When reviewing the top wicket-takers from last year, it’s evident that Multan Sultans’ premier fast bowlers were leading the pack. Ihsanullah, in particular, dominated as the top wicket-taker for the majority of the PSL season, holding this position until Abbas Afridi’s remarkable late surge in the competition.

To summarize, Ihsanullah, the second-highest wicket-taker from PSL 8, will unfortunately not be part of the team this year due to an injury, leaving him completely sidelined for PSL 9. Additionally, the Sultans face another setback before the tournament even begins, as Reece Topley is also unavailable due to injury.

The absence of these two bowlers means that Multan’s fast bowling unit is noticeably lacking in firepower. However, they still have the formidable presence of Abbas Afridi, the highest wicket-taker from PSL 8, within their ranks. Alongside him are Dawid Willey and Shahnawaz Dahani, both of whom are exceptional T20 bowlers in their own right. Despite the setbacks, this trio brings a wealth of talent and skill to the table, promising to be a critical factor in the Sultans’ quest for success in the upcoming season.

The Sultan-Qalandar Rivalry: Multan’s Quest to Overcome Lahore

In the last two seasons, the Multan Sultans have consistently found themselves just one step away from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) trophy, with that step being the formidable Lahore Qalandars. The cricketing world has been treated to intense showdowns as these two top teams clashed in the finals consecutively, with Lahore emerging victorious on both occasions.

Beyond these high-stakes matches, Multan Sultans’ overall record against Lahore Qalandars leaves much to be desired, boasting a win percentage of only 47% against them. Out of eight encounters over the past two years, the Sultans have managed to secure victory in merely three games. This rivalry has evolved beyond mere competition, morphing into a psychological battle where, for the past two years, the Qalandars have consistently held the upper hand. This raises the question: can the Sultans reverse their fortunes and overcome their rivals, the Lahore Qalandars, in this year’s tournament?

For details on the Multan Sultans’ PSL 2024 squad and their schedule, click here.