Sports
Gohar Shah reveals plan to reshape Multan Sultans | The Express Tribune
The franchise will undergo a major rebuild with its camp starting March 22 under captain Ashton Turner
KARACHI:
The new owner has resolved to transform Multan Sultans into a better version. Gohar Shah said that the team’s camp will begin on March 22.
“Ashton Turner has experience playing on Pakistani pitches, and having such an experienced captain will be highly beneficial for other players, especially the younger ones,” he said.
He added that the franchise will incur losses initially, but he hopes revenue will start increasing from the fourth year onward. He also mentioned that he was a left-arm fast bowler and might still have been playing if he hadn’t suffered a back injury. In the future, he also wishes for PSL matches to be held in England.
He expressed these views in an exclusive interview with Express Tribune from London. Gohar Shah said that when he couldn’t secure a franchise during the auction, he had no idea that things would turn out this way later. “However, I have always believed that whatever happens is for the better,” he said.
After the auction, he packed his bags and returned to England from Pakistan. Still, he couldn’t help but think that he wished he had secured a team or shown more courage in bidding. “Then Ramadan began, prayers were answered, opportunities opened up, and today I stand as a team owner,” he added.
He said that Quetta Gladiators’ owner, Nadeem Omar, had come to Lahore for the players’ auction and invited him for a meeting. “At that time, the idea of buying shares wasn’t in mind. During our conversation, I shared my ideas about how cricket should be played in Pakistan, which Nadeem Omar liked very much. He then offered a partnership and invited me to work together. He also invited me to sit with him as a guest during the players auction, which is why I attended,” he said.
Gohar Shah said that on the day of the players’ auction, he learned that an external investor had acquired 75% shares from Sialkot. “I realized that if shares were being sold, there might be financial issues, but since the deal seemed complete, I stayed out of it. The new partner sent a bank pay order to the PCB, which turned out to be fake or at least was never cashed. That’s when I realized the original ownership group would need support. Eventually, matters progressed, and the team came under our control,” he said.
“My intention was always to buy Multan Sultans if I ever entered PSL. Through a strategic partnership, we acquired a significant number of shares, although I did not disclose the exact percentage. However, the team’s operations are now under our control,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said that Ali Tareen is a very good person and has been supportive. “We remain in contact, and Ali’s team assisted with transferring social media accounts and other matters, even sending the mascot ‘Saeen’ costume. There is no issue between us and I even invited Ali to watch matches,” he said.
Gohar Shah said that we have made several changes to the team, adding seven new players, trading two from other franchises, and directly signing five players. “Discussions regarding further trades are ongoing, and the team will be shaped exactly as we envisioned,” he said.
He said the decision to appoint the captain was made in consultation with coach Tim Paine and other coaching staff. “Ashton Turner has been part of a Big Bash champion team for five out of the last eight years and has served as captain three times in the last five years. He has previously played for Multan Sultans and understands Pakistani conditions well. His experience will greatly help the team, especially younger players, as he knows how to win tournaments. The team camp will begin on March 22 with full participation from players and coaching staff,” he added.
On financial matters, he said the franchise will face losses initially, which we are prepared to bear for up to three years. “After that, they will review the situation. I hope revenue will grow from sponsorships, partnerships, and the next media rights deal. For now, losses are expected, but not to the extent that the team cannot be sustained till 10 years,” he said.
He also shared that my cricket journey has been long. “I wanted to become a cricketer since childhood, played Under-15 and Under-19 cricket, represented Lahore District, played first-class cricket, represented National Bank, and also played in England. Although some dreams remained unfulfilled, I view my journey positively. I was a left-arm fast bowler and might still be playing if not for my back injury, but now it is physically difficult for me to return to the field,” he said.
He added that many players know me well and have good relationships with me. “They were surprised to see me enter PSL as an owner, but have expressed positive thoughts and hope that someone who understands the game and professionalism has come forward,” he said.
Finally, he expressed hope that PSL matches will eventually be held in England, as it would bring significant commercial benefits and attract international sponsors. “We are already targeting international brands for Multan Sultans and aiming for major deals. I believe Multan Sultans is a preferred franchise for sponsors, and if the league expands abroad, we will be able to bring many international brands on board,” he said.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever’s opening game is only days away from tipping off and the superstar WNBA player received a message from LeBron James.
The Lakers star hyped up Clark after she posted a message on Instagram, “Year 3!!! See you all soon.”
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark stands on the court before the game against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
“LFG!!!!!!!!” James in the comments section of the post.
James appeared to be a big fan of Clark as he posted about the Fever sharpshooter before the beginning of her second season in the WNBA.
“Good luck and DO YOU per usual this season!!!”
Year 2 didn’t exactly work out for Clark. She started off the season hot, finishing in double figures in scoring in eight straight games before she was held to just six points in 31 minutes against the Seattle Storm.
Clark reached at least 12 points in the final three games she appeared in. On July 15, Clark suffered a hamstring injury before the All-Star break and she wouldn’t return to the floor for the rest of the year.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers compete during an inbounds play in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
She said last month she was “100% healthy” going into the 2026 season.
“I’m a person that doesn’t want to sit out a single rep, like I want to be in there every single time,” Clark told reporters in April. “But I think just being a little bit smarter with my body…whether that’s recovery, whether that’s pre-court treatment, whatever it is.”
She proved it as much so far during the preseason.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark shoots the ball in the second half against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 30, 2026. (Trevor Ruszkowski/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Fever will begin the season on Saturday against the Dallas Wings.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The most likely NBA Finals matchup this season? The defending champs and a team that hasn’t seen the Finals in nearly three decades.
Let’s check out the odds for which squads will advance to the NBA Finals as of May 5 at DraftKings Sportsbook.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
NBA Eastern Conference winner
Knicks: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)
Pistons: +270 (bet $10 to win $37 total)
Cavaliers: +340 (bet $10 to win $44 total)
76ers: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)
NBA Western Conference winner
Thunder: -260 (bet $10 to win $14.35 total)
Spurs: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Wolves: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Lakers: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:
Finals Favorites: The Thunder won it all last season, and the season before that, the Celtics reached the top of the mountain. So, entering the postseason, the two squads were favored to meet in a seven-game series with the title on the line, meaning one of the two franchises could have been approaching dynasty territory if the odds had rung true. However, the Celtics suffered a shocking first-round defeat at the hands of the Sixers, despite leading the series 3-1. Now, Boston is at home, while the Thunder will face the Lakers after sweeping the Suns in Round 1. The new favorite to come out the East? The New York Knicks, who haven’t been to the Finals since falling 4-1 to San Antonio at the conclusion of the 1998-99 season. N.Y. beat Atlanta in six games in the first round and is up 1-0 on Philly in the second round.
The Challengers: The Spurs are next in the mix from the West. Keep in mind, San Antonio and OKC faced off five times this season, and the Spurs won four of those matchups, including the first three. In terms of the East, after New York, things are up in the air, with the Pistons, Cavs and Sixers all in the mix. Detroit, after being one of three teams to win 60 games in the regular season and the only East team to accomplish the feat, has not been getting much respect on the oddsboards, including this one. However, it could have something to do with the Pistons trailing 3-1 to Orlando in the first round, and having to overcome a 60-38 halftime deficit in Game 6 in order to force a Game 7, which they ultimately won.
KARACHI:
Clear your dues or face termination of contracts” the Pakistan Cricket Board has launched a recovery campaign against defaulters. Notices have been issued to all concerned parties, directing them to make payments within the stipulated deadline.
According to details, the 11th edition of the PSL has now concluded, and the PCB had already begun its recovery drive during the tournament. Sources revealed that billions of rupees are currently outstanding from various stakeholders. After repeated reminders failed, officials adopted a stricter stance.
Recently, notices were sent to several entities, including early PSL franchises, clearly stating that contracts would be terminated if payments were not made by April 29. Following this, several franchises cleared their full dues.
When officials were questioned about the unpaid PKR 400 million owed to each franchise, they responded that payment of franchise fees is mandatory under the agreement. They added:
“How can we pay you until we receive payments from other stakeholders?”
In the past, the practice was that after partial payment of fees, the remaining amount would be adjusted from the central revenue pool. However, a different approach has been adopted this time.
For the 10th PSL edition, each franchise was supposed to receive PKR 975 million (97.5 crore) as its share. However, a key stakeholder owes the PCB PKR 4.7 billion, a major portion of which is related to the PSL. This stakeholder has been avoiding payment, citing financial losses, preventing the finalization of accounts.
Due to this issue, the PCB did not allow two TV channels to participate in bidding for the current edition’s media rights. However, surprisingly, the new company that acquired the broadcasting rights permitted those same channels to air the matches.
Learning from past experience, the PCB has now secured a bank guarantee from the new media rights holder, which can be cashed in case of non-payment.
Meanwhile, sources stated that both new teams and the new owner of Multan Sultans had already paid their full franchise fees in advance. Since this is their first year, they are not entitled to any share from previous central revenue pools.
Owners who purchased teams at high prices had already been assured a minimum of PKR 850 million (85 crore) annually from the central pool for the first five years. However, the final amount will only be determined once the accounts are fully settled.
Climate is now in the cost sheet
Dolly Parton shares health update after canceling Las Vegas residency
[CinePlex360] Please moderate: “Hundreds in Teh
-
Tech1 week agoA Brain Implant for Depression Is About to Be Tested in Humans
-
Tech1 week agoAlmost 90% of women leave tech industry within 10 years | Computer Weekly
-
Sports1 week agoPro wrestling star Steph De Lander reveals how colleague’s advice helped lead her to title triumph at ACW
-
Business1 week ago‘I had £20,000 stolen and had to fight a 13-month fraud reporting rule to get it back’
-
Entertainment1 week agoNorway joins Type 26 Frigate Programme to boost NATO naval power
-
Business6 days agoPSX plunges over 4,800 points | The Express Tribune
-
Entertainment1 week agoMelania Trump says ABC should ‘take a stand’ on late-night host Kimmel
-
Tech1 week agoThis Ambitious Laptop Doesn’t Leave Much Room for Your Hands