Frustration mounts as Multan Sultans are forced to play a rescheduled fixture in Lahore
In a decision that has left Multan Sultans feeling increasingly frustrated, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that their upcoming match against Karachi Kings on May 1 will no longer take place in Multan. Instead, the match will be moved to Lahore, marking a significant loss of a home advantage for the struggling Sultans, who are currently at the bottom of the PSL 2025 standings.
The fixture change is part of a broader rescheduling of two key matches, with the Sultans’ home game against Quetta Gladiators also pushed back by one day to May 11. The PCB explained that the decision to shift these games was made for "operational ease" and in response to the severe heatwaves affecting certain regions of Pakistan, particularly Multan, which is one of the hottest cities to host PSL matches.
The Scheduling Saga: Multan's Discontent
Originally, the Sultans were set to host both their matches against Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators during the afternoon slots. However, due to the extreme temperatures, the PCB moved the Kings clash to Lahore, where temperatures are slightly more bearable. Despite Lahore also experiencing sweltering heat, it was deemed more suitable for hosting the match due to logistical reasons and ease of managing the event.
However, the Sultans were not happy with this change. In an attempt to mitigate the loss of their home game, the franchise suggested rescheduling the Karachi Kings match to May 6, allowing them to retain the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd. Yet, this proposal was met with strong opposition from Karachi Kings, who argued that playing three matches in five days across three different venues would stretch their resources and leave them with no rest.
The PCB, ultimately, upheld the original May 1 date for the match, leaving the Sultans feeling sidelined. Reports suggest that the franchise was upset by the lack of a chance to discuss alternative arrangements, with the decision handed down without room for negotiation.
Sultans’ Struggles Continue
The timing of this decision is particularly tough for the Multan Sultans. Sitting at the bottom of the PSL table after a dismal start to their campaign—having won just one of their first six matches—this change in schedule could make their already difficult road to the playoffs even harder. The Sultans, who have reached the final in four consecutive seasons and won the PSL in 2021, find themselves in a precarious position as they look to stage a late comeback.
With the team likely needing to win every remaining match to have a realistic chance at qualification, losing a home game against one of the league's stronger sides in Karachi Kings is a bitter blow.
Despite the PCB's defense of the schedule change, which they argue was necessary to avoid disrupting fixtures for multiple teams, the Sultans’ frustration is understandable. As they struggle to regain form, playing away from their familiar home ground only adds to the challenges they face in the second half of the tournament.
Looking Ahead
The Multan Sultans will now have to find a way to bounce back, even without the benefit of their home crowd cheering them on. The fixture against Karachi Kings, though a crucial match for both teams, will be a particularly tough one for the Sultans as they seek to overcome their slow start and mount a comeback in the race for the playoffs.
As the PSL continues, all eyes will be on whether Multan can turn their season around despite the disruptions to their schedule.
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