Multan Sultans have appointed Australia’s Ashton Turner as captain ahead of the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), marking a new leadership era for the franchise following the departure of long-time skipper Mohammad Rizwan.
The experienced middle-order batter will lead the side in PSL 11, scheduled to run from March 26 to May 3, as the franchise looks to rebuild momentum and remain competitive in one of cricket’s fastest-growing T20 leagues.
Turner replaces Rizwan, who has joined newly introduced PSL franchise Pindiz, ending a highly successful leadership stint with the Sultans.
Rizwan leaves after highly successful spell with Multan
Rizwan played a pivotal role in establishing Multan Sultans as one of the PSL’s most consistent teams.
The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter captained the side in 58 matches, securing 33 wins and 25 losses, giving him a 56.89% win percentage—the third-best captaincy record in PSL history.
His biggest achievement came in 2021, when he led Multan Sultans to their first PSL title, defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final.
With Rizwan moving on, the franchise has turned to Turner’s international and franchise-league experience to guide the team into its next phase.
Turner brings global franchise experience and leadership pedigree
Turner, 33, is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most experienced T20 campaigners and has played across many of the world’s leading franchise leagues.
The right-handed batter has featured in competitions including the Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred, Pakistan Super League, SA20, Indian Premier League (IPL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Across 252 T20 matches, Turner has scored 4,103 runs at a strike rate of 142.56, including 17 half-centuries, while also contributing 38 wickets with the ball.
Internationally, he has represented Australia in 19 T20 Internationals, scoring 110 runs and taking four wickets.
Turner also has leadership experience in the BBL, where he has captained the Perth Scorchers and helped guide the team through multiple successful campaigns. Over his career, he has won five BBL titles, strengthening his reputation as a strong dressing-room leader capable of managing pressure situations.
Familiar face returns to lead the Sultans
Although Turner is now stepping into the captaincy role, he is not entirely new to the Multan setup.
The Australian represented the Sultans in the previous PSL season, appearing in three matches.
His appointment signals the franchise’s intent to lean on experienced international leadership while building a competitive squad for the upcoming season.
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Multan Sultans reveal squad for PSL 11
Alongside confirming Turner as captain, Multan Sultans have also unveiled their squad for PSL 11.
The lineup includes several notable international and domestic players such as Steve Smith, Sahibzada Farhan, Shan Masood, Tabraiz Shamsi, Peter Siddle, Josh Philippe, and Mohammad Nawaz.
Full squad for PSL 11:
Ashton Turner (C), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Steve Smith, Jahanzaib Sultan, Sahibzada Farhan, Peter Siddle, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lachlan Shaw, Delano Potgieter, Josh Philippe, Shan Masood, Momin Qamar and Muhammad Awais Zafar.
PSL 11 set to begin later this month
The upcoming PSL season will begin on March 26, with defending champions Lahore Qalandars facing debutant franchise Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
For Multan Sultans, Turner’s appointment marks a significant shift as the franchise transitions from the Rizwan era to a new leadership structure, hoping the Australian’s experience and tactical approach can help drive another deep run in the tournament.
