Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned for two years by the Pakistan Cricket Board after withdrawing from the PSL to join the IPL, raising concerns over player commitments in franchise cricket.
Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned for two years from participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after withdrawing from a signed agreement to join the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed in a statement released yesterday.
The decision follows weeks after Muzarabani pulled out of the PSL despite having accepted terms to play for Islamabad United in the 2026 season. The PCB said the player had entered into a binding agreement but chose to pursue a conflicting opportunity instead.
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“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,” the PCB said in a statement quoted by Cricbuzz.
Muzarabani had initially agreed to join Islamabad United after going unpicked during the PSL auction held on February 11. The franchise later signed him directly after releasing West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph. However, the Zimbabwean pacer withdrew from the deal after receiving an offer to play in the IPL.
He was subsequently signed by Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman. The move came after Mustafizur was released from the squad following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), despite having been bought for Rs 9.2 crore at the 2026 auction.
Muzarabani’s switch to the IPL came at a time when he was in strong form. The right-arm pacer was among the standout performers at the recently concluded T20 World Cup, finishing as the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets as Zimbabwe progressed to the Super Eights stage.
In the ongoing IPL season, the 29-year-old has played two matches for Kolkata Knight Riders, taking four wickets while conceding 75 runs at an economy rate of 10.71. His performances have drawn attention, but the circumstances surrounding his participation have now led to disciplinary action.
The PCB emphasised that professionalism in franchise cricket requires players to honour their commitments. The board warned that failure to do so undermines trust between players, franchises, and governing bodies. “Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency,” the statement read.
The statement further noted that entering into a conflicting agreement while bound by a prior contract represents a breach of expected standards. “Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements,” the PSL added.
The board said the two-year ban reflects the seriousness of the breach. Muzarabani’s case is not the first of its kind, with South Africa’s Corbin Bosch having received a one-year ban last season for a similar situation involving conflicting league commitments.
Other players have also withdrawn from PSL contracts to participate in the IPL this season. Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka are among those who made similar decisions, and while no official action has been confirmed, they are expected to face possible sanctions.
