Discover the Multan Sultans PSL 2026 squad and the 7 strongest players who could lead the team to victory in PSL 11. Full squad insights, key match-winners, and why Multan Sultans are strong title contenders this season.
Multan Sultans are back — and this time, everything has changed.
The franchise that won PSL’s 2021 title has been completely rebuilt from scratch. New owner. New captain. Fresh squad. And a story that most PSL fans are still catching up on.
Here’s what happened: The original Multan Sultans franchise changed hands and was rebranded as Pindiz for PSL 11. Meanwhile, the newly formed Sialkot Stallionz franchise was purchased by CD Ventures, rebranded back to Multan Sultans, and built an entirely new squad through the PSL’s first-ever auction system.
So this is not your father’s Multan Sultans. This is a rebuilt team with an exciting overseas core, a fresh Australian captain, and some of Pakistan’s most dangerous domestic hitters.
The question is — who are the players that actually matter? Who can win matches on their own?
Let’s go through them one by one.
The New Multan Sultans at a Glance
Before getting into individual players, here’s the quick picture:
- Captain: Ashton Turner (Australia)
- Head Coach: Tim Paine (former Australian Test captain)
- Home Ground: Multan Cricket Stadium
- PSL 2026 Dates: March 26 – May 3, 2026
- Key Retentions (from Sialkot Stallionz): Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood
- Direct Signing: Steve Smith
What stands out immediately is the Australian connection — Turner captains, Paine coaches, Smith anchors the top order, and Siddle handles the new ball. It’s an unusual setup, but it brings world-class pedigree to a young squad.
1. Steve Smith — The Match-Winner at the Top
If you had to pick one player who can single-handedly drag Multan Sultans out of trouble, it’s Steve Smith.
Smith was signed as Multan’s direct overseas pick before the auction — a clear signal of how much the management rates him. At 36, he’s still one of the best technical batters in world cricket. His ability to build an innings, rotate strike smartly, and accelerate when needed makes him absolutely ideal for PSL conditions.
In T20 cricket, Smith isn’t the flashiest name — but he’s one of the most consistent. He reads the game well, rarely throws his wicket away cheaply, and tends to play the biggest innings when his side needs it most.
If Multan’s top order collapses — and that can happen to any team — Smith is the man who holds things together.
Why he matters: His stability at No. 3 or 4 gives every other batter around him room to play freely. That’s an underrated quality in T20 cricket.
2. Ashton Turner — Captain and Middle-Order Engine
When Multan needed a captain, they didn’t just pick a name — they picked a cricketer with 4,103 runs in 252 T20 matches at a strike rate of 142.56.
Ashton Turner is one of the most experienced T20 campaigners on the planet. He’s played in the BBL, IPL, CPL, SA20, The Hundred, and the PSL. The man knows how to win franchise cricket matches.
His strength lies in the middle overs and the death. He can absorb pressure when batting is difficult and accelerate hard in the final overs. As an off-break bowler, he also gives the captain — himself — a handy fourth or fifth option to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm.
Turner actually played three matches for Multan in PSL 10, so he knows the setup. Moving from a squad player to the leader is a big shift, but his experience makes it a sensible call.
Why he matters: A captain who can also bat at 150+ strike rate in the death overs is a rare asset. Turner pulls double duty.
3. Sahibzada Farhan — Multan’s Most Expensive Buy
At PKR 5.70 crore, Sahibzada Farhan was Multan’s biggest auction spend — and for good reason.
Farhan is one of the most explosive top-order batters in Pakistani domestic cricket right now. He has an attacking mindset, plays straight down the ground exceptionally well, and can dismantle any bowling attack in the powerplay.
In recent domestic T20 cricket, Farhan has shown he belongs at the highest level. His ability to score quickly at the top of the order gives Multan Sultans the kind of powerplay firepower that wins T20 matches before the opposition even settles.
At 5.70 crore, the management clearly sees him as a cornerstone of their batting unit — not a supporting act.
Why he matters: Multan needed a top-order batter with proven T20 credentials. Farhan fits that profile better than almost anyone available at auction.
4. Shan Masood — Experience and Stability at the Top
Shan Masood brings something this new-look Multan squad desperately needs: experience in big moments.
The left-handed opener has played 36 Tests, over 50 T20Is, and countless franchise matches across the world. He’s captained Pakistan. He knows what pressure looks like — and he knows how to bat through it.
Masood was picked up at the auction for just PKR 0.65 crore — one of the better value picks in the entire PSL 11 auction. At 36, he’s not the same high-octane prospect he was at 25. But as an anchor batter who can rotate strike, protect wickets in a chase, and lead the innings intelligently alongside Farhan, he’s exactly what Multan needs.
His presence also helps Farhan play more freely. When one batter at the top plays freely and the other plays smartly, it’s a formula that works.
Why he matters: T20 cricket at its best requires one aggressive opener and one steady one. Masood is the steady one — and he was basically free.
5. Mohammad Nawaz — The All-Rounder Who Does Everything
Ask any PSL fan which Multan player scares them the most, and Mohammad Nawaz is a name that keeps coming up.
The left-arm spinner and hard-hitting lower-order bat is one of the most complete domestic cricketers Pakistan has produced in the past decade. He was retained by the old Sialkot Stallionz setup at PKR 6.16 crore — the highest retention fee in Multan’s squad — which tells you everything about his value.
Nawaz can win matches with the bat when it matters (he’s batted at No. 6 in T20Is and hit crucial cameos for Pakistan), and with the ball he’s proven his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and hold runs in the death.
In PSL conditions — where pitches tend to grip and slow — a spinner of Nawaz’s calibre becomes extremely dangerous. He’s not going to go for 60 runs in four overs. He’s going to take 2/25 and hit a 30-ball 40 when you least expect it.
Why he matters: When a team has an all-rounder of this quality at No. 6 or 7, it extends the batting depth significantly and adds a genuine wicket-taking option. Nawaz is Multan’s glue player.
6. Tabraiz Shamsi — The Spinner Teams Fear
South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi is arguably the best left-arm wrist spinner playing franchise cricket right now.
Picked up at PKR 2.2 crore, Shamsi is the kind of overseas specialist that changes matches. His wrong ‘un is almost impossible to read. His flight and dip draw false shots. And he has the temperament to bowl in any phase of the game — powerplay, middle, or death.
PSL pitches in Pakistan traditionally suit spin, especially in venues like Multan and Lahore. On a slow, low track, Shamsi can genuinely bowl sides out. He’s the attacking spin option that every good T20 team needs.
His PSL experience and familiarity with subcontinental conditions give him an advantage that many overseas players struggle to find.
Why he matters: In conditions that suit spin, Shamsi is a match-winner. He gives Turner an attacking option that can take out the dangerous batters — not just contain them.
7. Ahmed Daniyal — The Pace Threat
Of the four players retained from the Sialkot Stallionz setup, Ahmed Daniyal is the one who offers the most explosive upside as a fast bowler.
The 28-year-old right-arm pacer brings raw pace and aggression to Multan’s attack. In domestic cricket, he’s consistently troubled batters with his ability to generate bounce and movement. He’s not a defensive bowler — he comes at batters with intent.
In PSL conditions, where pace can be a great leveller, Daniyal is Multan’s primary match-up weapon with the new ball. If he’s on his game in the powerplay, he can rattle top orders before they get settled.
Why he matters: Multan needed a genuine Pakistani pace threat. Daniyal, alongside Peter Siddle, gives them a varied and potentially destructive new-ball pairing.
The Wildcard: Josh Philippe
Australia’s Josh Philippe at PKR 2.3 crore might be the most interesting name in this squad.
The right-handed batter and wicketkeeper is an explosive T20 player who’s shown serious form in recent years in the BBL. He can open the batting and be devastating in the powerplay — exactly the kind of firepower that changes T20 matches before over 10.
If Multan decide to go aggressive from ball one, Philippe could slot into the playing XI as an additional overseas option in the top order. His strike rate and ability to go after fast bowling make him a genuine match-up problem.
What Competitors Got Wrong (Content Gap Analysis)
Most competitor articles about Multan Sultans’ PSL 2026 squad made two common mistakes.
Mistake 1: They were written before the squad was finalised. Several articles still reference Mohammad Rizwan as Multan’s captain and don’t explain the franchise switch. Rizwan has actually left for Pindiz — the new franchise that took over the original Multan Sultans brand. The current Multan Sultans squad is built entirely differently.
Mistake 2: No player-specific analysis. Most competitor articles just list names and categories without explaining why each player matters in context. A “Platinum” tag next to a name doesn’t help a fan understand match impact.
This article tries to fix both of those gaps.
Can Multan Sultans Win PSL 11?
Honestly? Yes — but with conditions.
The squad is interesting. Steve Smith and Sahibzada Farhan at the top is a genuinely strong pairing. Mohammad Nawaz at six is terrifying for oppositions. Tabraiz Shamsi can take matches away from teams in the middle overs. And Ashton Turner knows how to captain in high-pressure franchise situations.
The concern is middle-order depth. The batting from No. 4 to No. 6 depends heavily on Turner himself, who also carries the captaincy load. If Smith and Farhan both fail early, the pressure on Turner to score and manage the team simultaneously is significant.
The bowling attack, led by Shamsi, Daniyal, and Siddle, is decent but not star-studded. They’ll need consistent performances from all three to stay competitive.
Verdict: Multan Sultans can absolutely reach the playoffs. A deep run depends on Steve Smith firing consistently and Shamsi finding his best form on PSL surfaces.
Full Multan Sultans PSL 2026 Squad
| Player | Role | Price/Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ashton Turner (C) | Middle-order Batter | PKR 4.20 cr |
| Steve Smith | Top-order Batter | Direct Signing |
| Shan Masood | Opening Batter | PKR 0.65 cr |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Opening Batter | PKR 5.70 cr |
| Josh Philippe | Wicketkeeper-Batter | PKR 2.30 cr |
| Lachlan Shaw | Middle-order Batter | PKR 0.60 cr |
| Delano Potgieter | Batter | PKR 0.60 cr |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Allrounder | PKR 6.16 cr (Retained) |
| Saad Masood | Allrounder | PKR 0.84 cr (Retained) |
| Jahanzaib Sultan | Allrounder | PKR 0.60 cr |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Bowler (Spin) | PKR 2.20 cr |
| Ahmed Daniyal | Bowler (Pace) | PKR 2.24 cr (Retained) |
| Peter Siddle | Bowler (Pace) | PKR 2.50 cr |
| Salman Mirza | Bowler (Pace) | PKR 3.92 cr (Retained) |
| Momin Qamar | Bowler (Spin) | PKR 1.075 cr |
| Muhammad Awais Zafar | Bowler | PKR 0.60 cr |
FAQs
Who is the captain of Multan Sultans in PSL 2026? Ashton Turner of Australia is the captain for PSL 11. He replaced Mohammad Rizwan, who left the franchise and joined the newly formed Pindiz team.
Is Mohammad Rizwan still with Multan Sultans? No. Rizwan is now part of Pindiz — the franchise that took over the original Multan Sultans brand and relocated to Rawalpindi.
Who is the most expensive player in Multan Sultans PSL 2026? Mohammad Nawaz was retained at PKR 6.16 crore, making him the highest-valued player in the squad. Sahibzada Farhan at PKR 5.70 crore was the biggest auction buy.
When do Multan Sultans start their PSL 2026 campaign? PSL 11 runs from March 26 to May 3, 2026. Check the official PCB schedule for Multan’s specific opening match date.
Who is the head coach of Multan Sultans in PSL 2026? Tim Paine, the former Australian Test captain, has been appointed as Multan Sultans’ head coach for PSL 11.
Who is the overseas star signing for Multan Sultans? Steve Smith was the direct overseas signing — a slot available to teams for one foreign player not in previous PSL seasons.
Sources: PCB Official | ESPNcricinfo | GeoSuper
For more PSL 2026 squad breakdowns, check out the Lahore Qalandars PSL 2026 Squad analysis at PSL Update Hub.