Blessing Muzarabani‘s agent has hit back at the two-year ban imposed on the Zimbabwean fast bowler by the PSL, calling it “incredibly excessive”. In a statement posted to the agency’s X account, the agent, Rob Humphries, denied that a binding agreement between the league and the player had been reached before Muzarabani ultimately opted to sign a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL instead.
“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 says. “[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.”
The statement goes on to say that, two weeks later, on February 27, an official contract had still not been sent over. By then, KKR approached Muzarabani with an offer, and a deal was agreed.
“You simply cannot breach a contract you have never received. We feel ANY ban on participation in the PSL is incredibly excessive and is not consistent with the punishment given to players that have actually breached a contract in the past. We urge the PSL to gracefully withdraw the ban and accept this situation for what it is, an administrative error at their end, nothing more. We bear no grudges toward the PSL/Islamabad United.”
Muzarabani was signed by Islamabad United following the PSL auction when United and West Indian fast bowler Shamar Joseph mutually agreed to terminate their contract. Muzarabani, who enjoyed success at the T20 World Cup, was signed as Joseph’s replacement for approximately USD 40,000. Shortly after that, and before an official contract was produced or signed, an offer from KKR worth about USD 160,000 was made, and Muzarabani’s participation in the IPL was announced.
ESPNcricinfo approached the PSL for comment, and was told they did not intend to add anything to the statement they put out earlier in the week. They did not dispute that a contract had not been officially signed, but insist that clear verbal agreement between both parties was complete. This in effect, is a reiteration of the PCB’s statement where they said that “despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favor of a conflicting arrangement.”
The statement went on to say that “The PCB underscores that once essential terms–including remuneration and structure–are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed.”
That appears at the heart of the disagreement between the board and Muzarabani’s agent. While the PSL insist they believed a deal had effectively been struck, Humphries says the PSL going cold following the offer of a contract without official follow-through made him uncertain if the deal was on. “We did give a verbal commitment subject to NOC,” Humphries told ESPNcricinfo. “I can’t apply for an NOC without a contract. No contract ever came to us.”
However, the PCB has no intention of reviewing Muzarabani’s ban, or its length, following the statement from the agent. The Zimbabwean will not be eligible to participate in the PSL till 2029. It is a step up from the one-year ban handed to South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch last year when he waked away from a PSL deal to play in the IPL. However, ESPNcricinfo understands the relative leniency of his sanction came about because the PCB considered him to have been more cooperative than Muzarabani when he left, including co-signing a statement of apology.
Muzarabani was not the only player whose signing was announced before participation fell through. Lahore Qalandars agreed a contract with Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, before he ultimately left as an injury replacement for Sam Curran in the IPL at Rajasthan Royals. His case is still under review by the PSL before determining whether any sanctions will be levied.
