Multan’s Form Under Scrutiny Amid Winless Start
As the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 progresses, Multan Sultans—once a dominant force—find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Having failed to register a single win so far, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side is under increasing pressure. Cricket experts, fans, and former players have been actively debating the reasons behind this unexpected slump.
Umar Akmal Weighs In On Sultans’ Troubles
Adding his voice to the ongoing discussion, Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal has pointed to one specific area: fielding. Speaking on a local sports talk show, Akmal expressed concern over Multan’s inability to support their bowling attack through consistent fielding performances.
“The squad selection is solid. These are the best players available,” Akmal said. “But fielding is a huge issue. They dropped too many catches, especially in the match against Peshawar Zalmi. That allowed Zalmi to score over 200 runs after being five down early on.”
Missed Opportunities and Mounting Pressure
Multan’s bowling unit, according to Akmal, has done its part. But without fielding support, their efforts are going in vain. He highlighted how repeated drop catches have allowed opposing teams to recover and post challenging totals.
“The bowlers are building pressure, but the fielders are not backing them up. It’s demoralizing when catches go down repeatedly,” he explained.
Such lapses, Akmal warned, not only affect match outcomes but also place psychological strain on team leaders and captains. “The captain has to start thinking about hiding fielders instead of focusing on strategy. That disrupts the entire plan,” he said.
Experienced Players Also at Fault
What particularly disappointed Akmal was that several of these dropped catches were by players who have represented Pakistan on the international stage. “You expect better from seasoned cricketers. These aren’t junior players,” he added.
With their next game scheduled against Lahore Qalandars at home, Multan Sultans have little time to correct course and must improve their fielding to turn their campaign around.