Yasir Arafat Appointed as Multan Sultans Director of Cricket After PSL 2026
Multan Sultans have appointed Yasir Arafat as their Director of Cricket. The former Pakistan international will officially take charge of the role after PSL 2026 concludes, giving the two-time champions a seriously experienced cricket mind overseeing their long-term planning and squad development. For PSL 2026, Multan are already one of the most competitive sides in the competition, and this appointment signals they are building for beyond this season too.
Yasir Arafat, Director of Cricket at Multan Sultans
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Appointed Role | Director of Cricket |
| Franchise | Multan Sultans |
| Takes Charge | After PSL 2026 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Playing Career | Pakistan international, right-arm pace, lower-order batter |
The timing of the announcement during PSL 2026 is deliberate. Multan want fans and players to know what the plan is beyond the current campaign. Yasir Arafat stepping in after the season ends means the handover is clean, structured, and allows the current coaching staff to focus entirely on winning matches right now.
Who is Yasir Arafat
Yasir Arafat is one of Pakistani cricket’s most well-travelled and knowledgeable figures. As a player, he was a right-arm pace bowler and useful lower-order batter who represented Pakistan in Tests, ODIs, and T20 internationals. After retiring from playing, he built an extensive career in coaching and cricket management across multiple countries and franchise competitions.
He has worked in county cricket in England, been involved with various coaching setups internationally, and built a reputation as someone who understands how to develop players and build structures within franchise cricket environments. That background is exactly what a Director of Cricket role demands.
- Represented Pakistan across all three international formats
- Extensive post-playing career in coaching and cricket administration
- Deep knowledge of franchise cricket structures from multiple leagues
- Experience working in England’s county circuit alongside international exposure
- Understands both Asian and overseas cricket cultures, a key asset for a franchise with mixed squads
Why This is a Smart Move by Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans are a two-time PSL champions, winning in 2021 and 2025. They returned this season under the Sultans name after a rebranding from Sialkot Stallionz, with CD Ventures investing PKR 18.5 billion plus an additional PKR 200 Crore specifically to bring the Multan Sultans identity back.
A franchise at that level of investment and ambition needs proper cricket infrastructure above the coaching staff. A Director of Cricket bridges the gap between ownership and the dressing room. They make decisions on squad philosophy, player recruitment strategy, long-term contracts, and how the franchise develops local talent alongside its overseas acquisitions.
Yasir Arafat in that role means Multan have someone who has lived both sides of franchise cricket, as a player who performed in these environments and as a coach who has built systems within them.
Multan Sultans PSL 2026 Campaign
While the Director of Cricket appointment takes effect post-tournament, Multan are fully focused on winning PSL 2026 right now. Their squad is one of the strongest assembled this season.
| Player | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Australia | Top-order batter, captain |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | South Africa | Left-arm wrist spin |
| Josh Philippe | Australia | Wicketkeeper batter |
| Ashton Turner | Australia | Middle-order, finishing |
| Peter Siddle | Australia | Right-arm pace |
| Lachlan Shaw | Australia | Pace bowling |
Steve Smith leading an Australian-heavy roster with genuine title ambitions is exactly the kind of setup that wins PSL tournaments. Tabraiz Shamsi is one of the most dangerous spinners in world T20 cricket. With that quality in the XI, Multan go into every match as genuine contenders.
Check the full Multan Sultans squad for the complete confirmed player list heading through the group stage.
What a Director of Cricket Does at a PSL Franchise
This role is relatively new in Pakistani franchise cricket but is standard practice in major T20 leagues like the IPL and BBL. The Director of Cricket sits above the head coach and team manager, working at a strategic level rather than day-to-day training.
Key responsibilities typically include:
- Squad planning and player recruitment for future seasons
- Identifying and developing local talent through the franchise’s feeder programs
- Working with the coaching staff on playing philosophy and squad balance
- Managing relationships between ownership, players, and management
- Overseeing the scouting network and overseas player pipeline
Yasir Arafat’s appointment puts someone in that chair who has the cricket knowledge to make those decisions credibly. Multan’s ownership is clearly thinking beyond just the current PSL season.
Track Multan Sultans’ progress in Group B on the PSL 2026 points table as they push for a third PSL title.
FAQs
Who has Multan Sultans appointed as Director of Cricket? Multan Sultans have appointed Yasir Arafat as their Director of Cricket. He will take charge officially after PSL 2026 concludes.
When does Yasir Arafat take charge at Multan Sultans? Yasir Arafat takes charge as Director of Cricket at Multan Sultans after the PSL 2026 tournament ends.
Who is Yasir Arafat? Yasir Arafat is a former Pakistan international cricketer who played across all three formats. After retiring, he built an extensive coaching and cricket management career in Pakistan, England, and internationally.
What does a Director of Cricket do at a PSL franchise? A Director of Cricket oversees squad planning, player recruitment, long-term strategy, coaching staff coordination, and talent development. It is a senior cricket operations role sitting above the head coach.
How many PSL titles have Multan Sultans won? Multan Sultans have won two PSL titles, in 2021 and 2025, making them one of the most successful franchises in the league’s history.
Who is captaining Multan Sultans in PSL 2026? Steve Smith, the former Australian Test captain, is leading Multan Sultans in PSL 2026 as their headline overseas signing and captain.
