Gohar Shah, CEO of CD Ventures and majority owner of Multan Sultans, has shared a candid account of how a promising cricket career nearly took off before an untimely injury redirected his path to franchise ownership.
Speaking on a recent television programme, Shah recounted his experience attending Lahore Qalandars player trials in 2016 or 2017 at Qaddafi Stadium, where he impressed selectors with his fast bowling.
“I attended the Lahore trial in either 2016 or 2017,” Shah said. “I bowled just four or five deliveries, and one of my balls was clocked at 84 mph. I was immediately selected for the next stage.”
Injury Halts Cricketing Dream
Despite the promising start, Shah’s professional playing aspirations were cut short by an injury just days before the tournament in Muzaffarabad.
“All the selected players went to Muzaffarabad for the tournament. Unfortunately, I got injured a couple of days before it,” he revealed. “That’s when Salman Irshad and Maz Khan, who later got picked by Lahore Qalandars, made their mark.”
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Shah admitted that the injury effectively ended his pursuit of competitive cricket in Pakistan, stating, “Had I gone on to play, things might have been very different.”
From Aspiring Cricketer to PSL Franchise Owner
Today, Shah has transitioned from aspiring cricketer to influential figure in the Pakistan Super League. As the majority stakeholder of Multan Sultans, he has revitalized the franchise ahead of the PSL 2026 season, bringing Multan back into the spotlight of Pakistan cricket.
Under Shah’s leadership, CD Ventures successfully requested the Pakistan Cricket Board to rename the newly established Sialkot Stallionz franchise as Multan Sultans, a move approved by PCB and PSL officials. The rebranding has increased the franchise’s annual valuation and strengthened its commercial and fan-base appeal.
A Story of Resilience and Vision
Shah’s journey illustrates a story of resilience, adaptation, and ambition. From narrowly missing a chance to shine at Lahore Qalandars trials to owning one of the most competitive PSL T20 franchises, he has transformed personal setbacks into leadership opportunities, shaping the future of Pakistani cricket both on and off the field.
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With the PSL 2026 season on the horizon, Multan Sultans, under Gohar Shah’s guidance, is poised for a strong campaign, reflecting a vision built on perseverance, strategy, and a deep connection to Pakistan’s cricketing culture.
About Multan Sultans
Multan Sultans is a Pakistani professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team based in Multan, Punjab, that competes in the Pakistan Super League.
The team is owned by Gohar Shah of CD Ventures who bought the Sialkot Stallionz franchise in 2026 and rebranded it to Multan Sultans.
Multan Sultans had won their first PSL title in the 2021 season by defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the final.
Also read: Islamabad United beat Multan Sultans by two wickets
The franchise reached the finals in four consecutive seasons between 2021 and 2024, winning once and finishing runners-up three times, establishing itself as one of the PSL’s most consistent teams.
