Sialkot Stallionz shake-up: owner Hamza Majeed denies allegations, confirms coach

LAHORE: With the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) 11th season approaching, senior figures linked to the Sialkot Stallionz have moved to steady the franchise following administrative upheaval and public controversy.

Hamza Majeed of Sialkot Stallionz said acquiring a PSL franchise had been his ambition from the outset, calling it a long-term vision he had worked toward from day one. He strongly rejected allegations made by Mohammad Shahid, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

Majeed claimed that a payment slip presented by Shahid as evidence in financial accusations was fake and said he had been wrongly accused of bank corruption. He maintained that all financial matters had been transparently shared with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on January 15.

He warned that legal action would be pursued against individuals spreading what he termed “negativity and false information” about the franchise.

Addressing organizational matters, Majeed said there is no official WhatsApp group representing the Sialkot Stallionz and urged stakeholders to rely only on verified communication channels. He added that the PCB administration had fully supported the franchise throughout the recent developments.

In a key cricketing announcement, Majeed confirmed that former Australian captain Tim Paine will serve as head coach of the Sialkot Stallionz for PSL 11. The team’s captain, he added, will be announced soon.

The statements come days after a significant shift within the franchise’s leadership. In Lahore, partner Kamil Khan announced his decision to part ways with the Stallionz ahead of the new season of the Pakistan Super League.

Khan said he had overseen cricket operations with dedication and helped make rapid progress in strengthening the squad. Among the headline moves during his tenure was the high-profile signing of Australian star Steve Smith as a direct pick for PSL 11 – a signing widely viewed as a statement of intent for the new franchise.

Smith, one of the modern era’s premier batters, recently demonstrated his T20 prowess in Australia’s Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, easing concerns that he was primarily a red-ball specialist.

Khan said his departure followed internal administrative deliberations but expressed confidence that the franchise was left in capable hands. “I wanted Sialkot Stallionz to be in safe hands before leaving,” he stated, formally concluding his association with the team.

Despite the off-field turbulence, the Stallionz appear determined to shift focus back to cricket. With Smith’s signing, Paine’s appointment as head coach and further announcements expected, the franchise is positioning itself as a serious contender heading into PSL Season 11.