With just days to go for the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), we take a look at the newest member of the T20 family.

Multan Sultans are the newest entrants in the league and will be playing in only their second edition. The franchise was dissolved following failure to fulfill their financial obligations at the end of last season but are back in the PSL under the same name but new ownership.

Squad

Shoaib Malik (C), Shan Masood, Umar Siddiq, Mohammad Junaid, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shahid Afridi, Joe Denly, Johnson Charles, Qais Ahmed, Shakeel Ansar, Laurie Evans, Numan Ali, Dan Christian, Tome Moores, Ali Shafiq, Muhammad Ilyas, Andre Russell.

Skipper – Shoaib Malik

Having led the team out in their maiden appearance in 2018, it will once again be Pakistan veteran Shoaib Malik who will take charge as captain.

Past performances

In their only previous appearance in 2018, Multan failed to reach the playoffs after winning only four of their 10 league matches. They ultimately finished second from bottom.

Coach – Johan Botha

The new owners have decided to replace Australia’s Tom Moody with T20 veteran Johan Botha who has only recently retired from all forms of cricket.

Key players – Malik, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi

Big Andre Russell will be key to Multan’s hopes.

Strengths

There is plenty of T20 experience in the Multan Sultans squad with the likes of Malik, Afridi, Russell and Joe Denly in tow and this should hold the franchise in good stead on their return to the league. There is no shortage of all-rounders either with Russell and Afridi able to contribute with both bat and ball.

Weakness

While there are many T20 veterans in the team, the Sultans are lacking young blood and that can sometimes make all the difference. They have already lost the services of Steve Smith due to injury with Russell replacing the Australian. In Nicholas Pooran, they had an exciting young T20 talent but the West Indies dasher is no longer available after being called up to the ODI squad with Johnson Charles replacing him in the Multan outfit.

Prediction – Playoffs

Advancing to the final might be a bridge too far for Multan Sultans unless Russell can really turn it on. They will rely primarily on their experienced heads to see the team through but that could be a risky ploy should the names mentioned above fail to fire.