Sialkot Stallionz PSL 11 Coaching Staff Announced — Tim Paine, Rana Naved & More
Amid all the ownership noise, Sialkot Stallionz just got serious about cricket.
Owner Hamza Majeed held a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday and officially announced the complete coaching setup for PSL 11 — led by none other than former Australia captain Tim Paine. Check out the Sialkot Stallionz full squad for PSL 2026 to see the complete picture.
Sialkot Stallionz Full Coaching Panel — PSL 11
| Role | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Tim Paine | Former Australia captain, 35 Tests |
| Assistant Coach | Mike Smith | Former England cricketer |
| Bowling Coach | Rana Naved-ul-Hasan | Former Pakistan international |
| Batting Coach | Sohaib Maqsood | Former Pakistan international |
| Dual Role | Qaiser Abbas | Extensive first-class career |
| Physio | Brendan Wilson | Highly reputed cricket physio |
Tim Paine — The Man Leading the Charge
Tim Paine is not a random name thrown in for credibility. He captained Australia in 35 Tests and was one of the most tactically sharp wicketkeeper-batters of his generation. Having him lead the coaching setup gives Sialkot Stallionz instant respect in a tournament dominated by experienced setups.
Majeed put it simply at the presser: “As everyone knows, Tim Paine is our head coach.” Confident, direct, and a statement of intent from a brand new franchise.
Pakistan’s Own — Rana Naved and Sohaib Maqsood
This is where it gets interesting for local fans. Two former Pakistan cricketers are directly involved in shaping the team’s game:
- Rana Naved-ul-Hasan takes on the bowling coach role — a man who terrorized batting lineups in his playing days with his raw pace and swing
- Sohaib Maqsood steps in as batting coach — a stylish middle-order batter who knows exactly what it takes to perform under PSL pressure
Maqsood will also serve in a dual role alongside Qaiser Abbas, who brings a deep first-class pedigree to the setup.
Mike Smith and Brendan Wilson — The International Touch
Mike Smith joining as assistant coach adds another international dimension. Former England cricketers bring a different perspective on the game — technical, structured, and detail-oriented.
Physio Brendan Wilson rounds off what looks like a genuinely professional support unit. Majeed specifically praised Wilson as “very well-reputed” with a strong name in cricket circles. In a long tournament like PSL, having a quality physio is often the difference between a squad that holds up and one that falls apart in the final weeks.
Steve Smith Participation — Confirmed
The elephant in the room — Steve Smith. The highest-paid player in PSL history, set to earn a reported Rs 140 million, had question marks around his participation given the ownership turmoil.
Majeed shut that down clearly. The full squad remains intact and Smith is coming. For a new franchise trying to build credibility fast, keeping their biggest signing on board is massive.
Captain Still to Be Named This Week
One piece still missing — the captaincy. Majeed confirmed the announcement is coming this week, with two to three players already shortlisted for the role. Given Smith’s presence and experience, his name will be among the loudest in those discussions.
Follow the PSL 11 match schedule — Sialkot Stallionz open their campaign on March 28 against Rawalpindi in Peshawar.
Why This Coaching Staff Actually Makes Sense
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Tim Paine as HC | Test-level tactical knowledge |
| Rana Naved as BC | Knows PSL conditions & local bowlers |
| Sohaib Maqsood | Understands Pakistan T20 batting demands |
| Mike Smith | International technical insight |
| Brendan Wilson | Elite physio for squad fitness across 44 matches |
A new franchise needs structure fast. This lineup gives Sialkot Stallionz exactly that — and with Steve Smith in the batting order, the PSL 2026 points table could have a very interesting new name competing at the top.
FAQs
Who is the head coach of Sialkot Stallionz in PSL 2026? Tim Paine, former Australia Test captain, has been named as head coach for Sialkot Stallionz in PSL 11.
Who are the Pakistani coaches in Sialkot Stallionz’s staff? Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is the bowling coach and Sohaib Maqsood is the batting coach, both former Pakistan internationals.
Is Steve Smith playing for Sialkot Stallionz in PSL 11? Yes. Owner Hamza Majeed confirmed Steve Smith’s participation is confirmed and the full squad remains intact.
Who is the captain of Sialkot Stallionz? The captain has not been officially announced yet. Majeed confirmed the name will be revealed this week, with two to three players shortlisted.
What is Steve Smith’s PSL 2026 salary? Steve Smith is the highest-paid player in PSL history, reportedly set to earn Rs 140 million for PSL 11.
Who is Mike Smith in Sialkot Stallionz’s coaching setup? Mike Smith is a former England cricketer named as assistant coach for Sialkot Stallionz ahead of PSL 2026.
