The new PSL team Sialkot Stallionz had made their first major off-field signing ahead of the 11th season of Pakistan Super League, they are bringing in Pakistan’s most iconic all-rounder, the icon Shahid Afridi as the franchise’s mentor.
The appointment is being seen as a statement move by the newly formed Sialkot Stallionz, which is currently preparing for its debut campaign in PSL 11. A lot of expectations are rising around the expansion teams.
Afridi as a mentor adds experience and instant star power to the Stallionz.
On the internet many users were expecting and speculating that Shoaib Malik might be considered for the mentor role for Sialkot Stallionz since he will not be participating in PSL this season as a player and he also had a strong association with the original Sialkot Stallions in the domestic cricket tournaments.
The speculations and rumours have now been overshadowed by the news of Shahid Afridi as the mentor for Sialkot Stallionz in the 2026 season.
Shahid Afridi played in PSL for its first seven seasons. He featured across multiple franchises which include Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans, Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators.
In February 2022, he stepped away from his playing duties due to him experiencing a chronic back injury, still to this day he has remained one of the most influential figures of Pakistan’s cricket.
He is known throughout the world for his leadership presence, aggressive mindset and his ability to energise the team.
This news came after one day of Stallionz releasing their franchise name. The team will be playing PSL 11 from March 26 to May 3.
The franchise name was introduced through a 3D animated reveal on X (formerly Twitter), they revived the “Stallions” brand as a tribute to the legendary domestic T20 side which dominated Pakistan National T20 Cup in the 2000s and the early 2010s.
