Cricket Analyst Umar Akmal Diagnoses Multan’s Struggles

Multan Sultans have yet to open their account in PSL 10, leaving fans and pundits searching for answers. Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal believes he has identified the core issue behind the underwhelming performance—and it’s not their bowling or captaincy, but their fielding.

In a TV appearance this week, Akmal dissected the Sultans’ losses and expressed disappointment over their sloppy fielding efforts.

Dropped Catches Prove Costly in Crucial Matches

Referring to a key match against Peshawar Zalmi, Akmal pointed out that early momentum was lost due to missed opportunities in the field.

“After removing Zalmi’s top order, they were in control,” he noted. “But then they dropped too many catches, and Peshawar took full advantage. You can’t afford that in this format.”

Peshawar eventually piled up a total exceeding 200 runs, and Multan’s fielders were visibly deflated. Akmal underlined that bowlers need confidence that their fielders will support them—something he believes has been missing.

Leadership Under Strain Due to On-Field Mistakes

He also explained how such errors can directly affect team morale and leadership. “When you see experienced players missing routine catches, captains start to lose focus. They end up making reactive changes rather than proactive decisions,” said Akmal.

He added that the psychological pressure on the bowling side increases exponentially when opportunities are squandered.

Call for Accountability and Improvement

Akmal called for accountability, especially among seasoned players who’ve represented the national side. “You can’t excuse this level of fielding from professionals who know the stakes of PSL. Fielding is a basic standard,” he added.

As Multan prepares to face Lahore Qalandars at their home ground, the need to plug these fielding gaps has become more urgent than ever.