Multan Sultans have suffered a major setback in their PSL 2025 campaign, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that their key May 1 clash against Karachi Kings will no longer be held in Multan but moved to a neutral venue in Lahore. The decision is part of a broader fixture reshuffle also affecting Multan’s match against Quetta Gladiators, which has been moved to May 11.
The PCB cited “operational ease and recent heatwaves in certain parts of the country” as the reason for the switch, pointing to Multan as the hottest of the four host cities. Both impacted matches were originally scheduled for the afternoon.
Lahore’s heat and production team exit raise questions
However, the justification has drawn scrutiny, as Lahore has also been facing extreme heat—only marginally cooler than Multan. The issue was compounded by the recent exit of over two dozen Indian production crew members earlier in the week, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. Their departure reportedly caused significant broadcast strain, particularly in cities like Multan.
Multan proposed new date, but Karachi Kings declined
Sources close to the matter reveal that Multan Sultans proposed moving the fixture to May 6 to preserve their home advantage. However, the Karachi Kings objected strongly, arguing that it would require them to play three games at three venues over five days, all involving either travel or match play, with no rest day.
Faced with competing priorities, the PCB chose to uphold the May 1 date while relocating the match to Lahore, citing the need to avoid cascading disruptions to the broader tournament schedule.
Franchise given no room to negotiate
The decision has reportedly left Multan Sultans deeply frustrated. Despite the franchise’s dominant record in recent PSL seasons—including reaching the final in each of the past four editions and winning the title in 2021—they were informed of the venue change without further discussion or the opportunity to appeal.
The PCB acknowledged the Sultans’ disappointment but defended the decision as necessary for the league’s overall logistical integrity.
Multan’s season goes from bad to worse
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Sultans. Having lost five of their first six matches, they are rooted to the bottom of the table and must now win all remaining games to retain any hope of reaching the playoffs.
Losing a high-profile home fixture not only undermines the team’s competitive edge but also further alienates local fans, making the uphill battle on and off the field even steeper for the franchise.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
