Bracewell remains optimistic despite Sultans’ struggles

Michael Bracewell from the New Zealand. — BCCI/File

LAHORE: Multan Sultans’ New Zealand all-rounder, Michael Bracewell, has expressed determination despite the team’s struggles in the HBL PSL 10. While the Sultans have suffered four losses in their first five matches, Bracewell remains optimistic about their ability to turn things around.

Multan’s latest defeat came at the hands of Islamabad United, who secured a seven-wicket victory at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night. This loss leaves the Sultans at the bottom of the six-team points table.

Speaking after the match, Bracewell acknowledged the disappointment of losing on home ground but stressed that the tournament is far from over. “Of course, this defeat is disappointing for us, losing on our home ground, but there is still a lot left,” he said.

Bracewell praised Islamabad United for their strong performance, noting that their bowlers were particularly effective during the powerplay, limiting Multan Sultans to a subpar total. “We were probably ten to fifteen runs short. When their batting came, the dew made batting easier,” he explained.

Despite the setbacks, Bracewell remains confident in the team’s potential. “T20 is a strange game. If we have lost four out of five matches, we can also win four out of the next five matches,” he stated. He added that securing a spot in the playoffs is still achievable but will require significant effort. “There are some areas where we need to put in a lot of effort,” he remarked. Looking ahead, Bracewell is optimistic about their next clash against Lahore Qalandars, scheduled for April 26th in Lahore. He referenced their earlier win against the same team in Multan as a source of motivation. “We played very well against Lahore Qalandars in Multan, and we hope to play well against them in the next match as well and complete a double win. We will bring back our momentum and make a good comeback,” he said.

Bracewell emphasized the importance of team effort, pointing out that individual performances, while commendable, are not enough to secure victories. “To win matches, at least two players need to give outstanding performances, as was seen from Islamabad United,” he explained.

With five matches still left in the tournament, Bracewell called for resilience and consistency, reiterating his faith in the team. “We have the ability to defeat any team in this tournament,” he concluded, rallying both fans and teammates to remain hopeful.

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