Tag: Blessing Muzarabani

KARACHI: Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has responded through his agent after being handed a two-year ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from participating in the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

On April 14, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)  slapped a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Islamabad United.

The PCB said that professionalism in franchise leagues demands transparency and consistency, adding that taking part in a conflicting engagement while an existing binding agreement remains in place falls short of the game’s expected standards.

The 29-year-old pacer was bought by three-time champions United for PKR 1.1 crore for the 11th edition of the PSL; however, he later withdrew to join the IPL franchise KKR as a replacement for Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.

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However, in a statement on the agency’s X account, Rob Humphries, the agent, denied that a binding agreement was reached between the league and the player before Muzarabani decided to sign with KKR in the IPL.

“We’ve remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause anymore animosity for the Pakistan Super League/Pakistan Cricket Board than they had already created for themselves,” the statement read.

“[On] 13 February, Blessing [was] approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. The deal [was] agreed subject to obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket. An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL. Islamabad United/PSL announced the signing to the world via social media,” it further added.

The statement also notes that, two weeks later, on February 27, no official contract had been received yet. By that time, KKR had contacted Muzarabani with an offer, and the agreement was finalized.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slapped a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani for breaching his Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Islamabad United.

The 29-year-old pacer was bought by three-time champions United for PKR 1.1 crore for the 11th edition of the PSL; however, he later withdrew to join the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a replacement for Bangladesh left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman.

The PCB, following a disciplinary review, announced that the Zimbabwean cricketer is declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the PSL, effective immediately.

The board maintained that professional cricket operates on the bedrock of trust and the certainty of agreements. 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.

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In a statement regarding the sanctions, the PSL emphasized that the integrity of the HBL PSL depends on the consistent and ethical behaviour of all participants:

“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.”

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ISLAMABAD: Three-time champions Islamabad United have strengthened their pace attack ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League season by signing Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph.

The franchise confirmed the development through its official social media channels, announcing that Muzarabani has been added to the squad for PKR 1.10 crore.

The post welcomed the Zimbabwean quick in a light-hearted tone, signalling excitement around his arrival.

“Blessing your timelines as Blessing Muzarabani joins Islamabad United,” the franchise captioned its post.

Muzarabani brings valuable PSL experience, having previously represented Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings between 2021 and 2023.

During that period, he featured in 15 matches and picked up 21 wickets, establishing himself as a reliable pace option in league conditions.

Islamabad had originally secured Shamar Joseph at his base price of PKR 11 million during the PSL 11 player auction held at the Expo Centre Lahore on February 11.

However, the franchise opted to release the Caribbean fast bowler and reinforce their bowling resources with Muzarabani.

The tall pacer arrives in strong form, having recently starred for Zimbabwe in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where his four-wicket haul powered his side to a memorable victory over Australia.

Islamabad United squad for PSL 11

Shadab Khan, Salman Irshad, Andries Gous, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mehran Mumtaz, Max Bryant, Khurram Shahzad, Mark Chapman, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mir Hamza Sajjad, Sameer Minhas, Sameen Gul, Blessing Muzarabani, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Dipendra Singh Airee.

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HARARE: Zimbabwe have named a 15-member squad for the T20I tri-series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with pacer Blessing Muzarabani ruled out due to an injury.

The squad has only one change from the one that played Afghanistan in a three-match home T20I series earlier this month.

Muzarabani, who is ruled out due to a back injury, has been replaced by uncapped pacer Newman Nyamhuri, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) confirmed in a statement.

“The only change from the squad that recently faced Afghanistan at home sees pace spearhead Blessing Muzarabani miss out due to a back injury, with Newman Nyamhuri coming in as his replacement,” the statement read.

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Sikandar Raza will continue to lead the side in a series that could provide ample opportunity for the teams to prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The side also includes seasoned campaigners like Ryan Burl, Wellington Masakadza, and Brendan Taylor.

The tri-series will commence on November 17 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium with hosts Pakistan taking on Zimbabwe. The final of the series will be played on November 29 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Zimbabwe squad for T20I Tri-series in Pakistan

Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Bradley Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Wellington Masakadza, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, and Brendan Taylor.

T20I Tri-Series Fixtures:

17 November – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
19 November – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
22 November – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
23 November – Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
25 November – Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
27 November – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
29 November – Final, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

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DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday revealed the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month for April 2025, featuring Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan Miraz alongside Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and New Zealand’s Ben Sears.

Bangladesh’s dynamic all-rounder Mehidy earned the nomination for his outstanding performance in the Test series against Zimbabwe.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz stood for his team in difficult times with the bat and ball. He took consecutive five-wicket hauls in the first Test. However, his contribution could not save his team from defeat.

In the second Test, Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s excellent all-round performance helped his team level the series. He scored a century in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe’s second innings to set up a victory for his team.

Meanwhile, the second nominee for ICC Player of the Month is fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani. Heho was pivotal for Zimbabwe in the series against Bangladesh.

He took nine wickets in the match, which earned him the Player of the Match award. He recorded 3-50 and 6-72 figures in the first and second innings, respectively.

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Blessing Muzarabani finished as Zimbabwe’s top taker in the series, claiming 10 wickets across two Tests at an impressive average of 20.50.

New Zealand’s fast bowler Ben Sears earned the nomination for excellent performances in the ODI series against Pakistan.

He picked up back-to-back five-fors against Pakistan in the last two ODIs, tormenting the Men in Green’s top-order.

Ben Sears was instrumental in the team’s whitewash, taking 5 wickets for 59 runs in the second ODI, which helped New Zealand secure an 84-run victory.

In the last ODI of the series, Sears again produced a sensational bowling spell, taking 5 for 34 in his nine overs.

Ben Sears’ outstanding bowling performances earned him the Player of the Series award as he bagged 10 wickets at an average of 9.30 at an economy rate of 5.07

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