Blessing Muzarabani handed two-year PSL ban

The Zimbabwean fast-bowler turned down a contract with Islamabad United to sign for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

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Zimbabwe fast-bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been handed a two-year ban from participation in the Pakistan Super League, after pulling out of the tournament at the eleventh hour to sign for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United as a replacement player after going unsold in the auctions of both the IPL and PSL. He gave up the PSL contract to sign for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, as a replacement player for Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who was withdrawn

from the tournament due to a BCCI mandate.

"In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement," PCB said in a statement.

In a similar incident in 2025, South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch was banned for one year from the PSL after forgoing his contract with Peshawar Zalmi when the Mumbai Indians came calling, needing an injury replacement for Lizaad Williams. Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka have also given up PSL deals for the 2026 season to sign for the Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively.

"Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency. Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game. Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements," read a statement from the PSL.

Muzarabani came into the IPL after a stellar T20 World Cup, where he picked up 13 wickets, with figures of 4/21 against Australia as Zimbabwe made the Super 8s stage. He has played two games for the Knight Riders and recorded figures of 4/41 in their game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has seen his game time dwindle as the Knight Riders are winless in 2026.

With the expected arrival of Matheesha Pathirana, who received his NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket, Muzarabani would slide further down the pecking order for the Knights.