The Multan Sultans, who were the champions of the 2020 Pakistan Super League, are the new chokers of franchise cricket and have fallen into a sink-or-swim pattern. The nearly-men Multan Sultans team in the PSL finals has a poor record. The group-stage dominant MS franchise has played four consecutive finals and has yet to win a trophy after the 2021 edition. Furthermore, continuous appearances in finals followed by losses could also hurt players mentally and psychologically.
The 2024 Pakistan Super League runner-up team’s inability to maintain regular-season dominance in the finals has raised eyebrows. The Southern Punjab representative’s repeated failures raise questions regarding the team’s mental strength under pressure and ability to handle crunch moments. Similarly, their miscalculations and questionable tactical decisions probe many questions. What is ailing sultans, their players’ form, fitness, big match temperament, or captaincy? Let’s discuss all this one by one.
- Multan Sultans In PSL Finals: Top order and Captain not firing
Multan Sultans have undoubtedly performed better than other PSL teams when qualifying for the knockout matches. However, the real problem arises in the finals, where they consistently choke. Their problem is not putting up enough runs on the scoreboard and their top order not firing. Starting with the captain, whose performance record in the Pakistan Super League is subpar. Muhammad Rizwan, the wicket-keeping batter, has an average of 26 with 104 runs scored in the four finals he has played. Apart from that, the team’s middle order has yet to rise to the occasion, which has been the Sultans’ fundamental problem.
In the maiden season, when the Sultans emerged victorious in 2021, their top order fired and set up a formidable total of 206 runs, which proved more than enough to defend. However, a stark contrast emerges when analyzing the 2022, 2023, and 2023 seasons. The Sultans’ top order could not provide the necessary foundation, leading to their eventual losses in those finals.
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- Captaincy and Momentum Woes For Multan Sultans In PSL Finals
The Sultan’s problems lie in captaincy in pressure situations. For example, Chris Jordan bowling the second-last over with third-man and fine-leg inside the circle while his deliveries were on the off-stump line, which allowed Imad to free his arms. Additionally, the decision to have Mohammad Ali bowl the last over in the final was a risky one, considering their main bowlers, David Willey, and Chris Jordan, were available.
In the post-match presentation, captain Muhammad Rizwan emphasized the importance of momentum and match practice. He suggested that the few day’s break before the final halted player’s rhythm, contributing to the result we saw.
- Pressure and the Sultan’s Slump In Finals
The repeated failures of Multan Sultans in the finals suggest that underlying issues exist beyond individual performance. Their dependence on seasoned players and the inconsistent performance of emerging players are both areas of concern. The pressure on the rising stars to exhibit their talents and the psychological burden of a string of defeats all contribute to the Sultan’s inability to perform in crucial moments.
In conclusion, Multan Sultan must find a way to win those nervous moments and shake off the “choker’’ reputation. Their reliance on experienced players, the faltering of emerging players in the final, questionable captaincy, and the psychological weight of their repeated losses all contribute to their choking pattern. A positive team environment, learning from past final mistakes, and potentially a change in tactics for the big final match could be crucial for the Sultans to win the trophy.
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