“Might Need a Blanket”: Ashton Turner Jokes About Stadium Sleepover Amid Grueling PSL Schedule
LAHORE — Multan Sultans captain Ashton Turner humorously suggested he might need to camp out at the Gaddafi Stadium following his team’s back-to-back scheduling in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The lighthearted remark came shortly after the Sultans secured their third victory of the season, defeating the Quetta Gladiators on Sunday before a rapid turnaround for their Monday fixture against the Rawalpindi Kings.
Sultans Secure Decisive Win Over Gladiators
During the post-match presentation, Turner highlighted the demanding schedule facing his squad. “Might go and find somewhere to get a blanket and a pillow and sleep here — very short turnaround,” Turner told broadcasters.
Despite the fatigue factor, the Australian all-rounder expressed satisfaction with his team’s adaptability. The Sultans executed a disciplined bowling performance, limiting the Quetta Gladiators to 166 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Turner noted that tactical adjustments played a significant role in the victory.
“Slightly different conditions than the last two games. We did well in all three facets, which is satisfying,” Turner explained. “I was probably going to bowl the first over, but we expected two left-handers at the top. Fair play to them — they changed that.”
Match Summary: Multan Sultans vs. Quetta Gladiators
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Quetta Gladiators | 166/7 (20 overs) | Multan Sultans won by 4 wickets |
| Multan Sultans | 167/6 (17.3 overs) | Top Scorer: Steve Smith (53 off 35) |
In the chase, veteran Australian batter Steve Smith anchored the innings, smashing a brisk 53 off 35 deliveries. The Sultans comfortably reached the target of 167 with four wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare, cementing their position in the PSL standings.
Quick Turnaround Against Rawalpindi Kings
Wasting no time, the Sultans returned to the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday to face the Rawalpindi Kings in their first-ever PSL meeting. Continuing his tactical approach, Turner won the toss and elected to field first, backing his bowlers to exploit the fresh conditions.
Playing XIs for Monday’s Fixture
| Multan Sultans | Rawalpindi Kings |
|---|---|
| Steven Smith | Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk) |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Yasir Khan |
| Josh Philippe (wk) | Kamran Ghulam |
| Shan Masood | Daryl Mitchell |
| Ashton Turner (c) | Sam Billings |
| Arafat Minhas | Abdullah Fazal |
| Mohammad Nawaz | Dian Forrester |
| Peter Siddle | Rishad Hossain |
| Mohammad Wasim Jr | Mohammad Amir |
| Muhammad Ismail | Mohammad Amir Khan |
| Faisal Akram | Asif Afridi |
Similar to the rigorous scheduling seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL), consecutive franchise cricket matches require heavy workload management. Teams governed by organizations like the International Cricket Council (ICC) consistently monitor player fitness during these congested windows. For the Sultans, navigating this tight turnaround with consecutive wins will thoroughly test their squad depth.