RAWALPINDI: With determination in his stride and optimism in his voice, Ashton Turner has arrived to bolster Multan Sultans’ lineup, stepping in for Johnson Charles.
The Australian middle-order maestro is brimming with belief, confident that his side can turn the tide after an early stumble in the ongoing PSL X. Still finding his footing in the tournament, Turner admits he’s yet to truly unleash his potential. But with eyes set on Saturday’s clash against Peshawar Zalmi, he sees the perfect stage to find his rhythm, tweak a few gear, and reignite Multan’s campaign.
“The talent and spirit in this squad are undeniable,” Turner said. “One good performance can spark a turnaround — and I believe we’re right on the edge of that breakthrough.”
Q: What’s the plan for Saturday’s game against Peshawar?
A: We haven’t started the campaign the way we would have liked, but we’ve got an exciting opportunity ahead of us. We’ll discuss ways to unite as a team and produce the best results on the field.
Q: What are your expectations for the rest of the tournament?
A: I think there’s been a lot of upside, and we’ll learn from the last game and implement changes coming matches. We’ll come out with a different outcome if we can execute our plans effectively.
Q: What was discussed in the team meetings when you joined the team?
A: Our team meeting’s at 3:30pm, so I can’t disclose what was discussed yet. Clearly, we haven’t had the start to this campaign that we would have hoped for, but the upside is we’ve got eight games to go. I’m elated to be here, and I’ve felt amazing support from the local community, team, and franchise.
Q: How do you find playing in different environments and conditions?
A: It’s a challenge, but I’m 32 now, and I’ve got more confidence in my game. I’ve proven to myself that my skills are transferable in different competitions. Pakistan’s a nice place to come as a batter, and these conditions are something I’m looking forward to playing in.
Q: What are the differences between playing in Pakistan and Australia?
A: The noticeable difference is the really good batting wickets here. The boundary dimensions can be small, which requires a different game plan. We see more boundaries and running of twos here. From a bowling perspective, we see a lot of defensive bowling.
Q: How important is fitness in this tournament?
A: Fitness is crucial, especially for fast bowlers. We want to have our best players on the park and fit. With the high-scoring games and small grounds, fitness is important, but I think we’ll see more boundaries than running between the wickets.
Q: What makes the PSL a strong competition?
A: It’s one of the strengths of this competition, with six teams and amazing local talent. Pakistan cricket’s really healthy at the moment, and we’re seeing quality domestic cricketers and overseas players. It’s an exciting brand of cricket, and it’s entertaining for all the fans.
