The Pakistan Cricket Board has banned the Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani for two years after he skipped the 2026 Pakistan Premier League and joined the Indian Premier League.
The PCB issued a formal statement clarifying the proceedings.
In the statement, the PCB criticized the player for turning down the already signed contract and signing a different contract. The statement clearly mentioned PCB wanting players to be honest and consistent. It further added that repeated contract ditching will affect the trust in the system. The statement reads,
"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. 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."
A comparable situation unfolded in 2025 when South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch was handed a one-year PSL suspension after pulling out of his deal with Peshawar Zalmi. Bosch had opted to join the Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement for Lizaad Williams.
A similar trend continued into the 2026 season, with Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka stepping away from their PSL commitments to link up with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals respectively.
What happened to Blessing Muzarabani?
Blesssing was a part of the Zimbabwe squad during the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. There he rose to the limelight with a stellar performance, taking 13 wickets.
Following that, he sealed a contract with Islamabad United in the PSL despite going unsold in the first round. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders had to release the Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to the geopolitical issues. Blessing went unsold in the 2026 IPL mini auction too. However, KKR gave a call and signed him as a replacement player in the last minute.
Notably, Blessing had started his IPL career as a net bowler for the Lucknow Super Giants in 2020. In 2025, for the KKR, he played two matches taking four wickets conceding 41 runs. While KKR is still searching for a win, Matheesha Pathiran coming back can slim his chances in the Playing XI.