The PSL has imposed a two-year ban on Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, which means he won’t be able to participate in the league until 2029. The sanction was imposed after Muzarabani, once signed by PSL franchise Islamabad United, pulled out after securing a deal with IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.
The PCB accused the bowler of “a fundamental failure to honour agreed-upon commitments” and of undermining the “professional framework of the league”.
Muzarabani was signed by the PSL in the week following the auction as a replacement for West Indies fast bowler Shamar Jospeh. Joseph and United agreed to mutually terminate his contract, with Muzarabani signed on equivalent terms, in line to earn PKR 11 million (approx. US$ 40,000).
However, while terms were agreed, the final contract had not yet been signed, which enabled Muzarabani to walk away from the agreement when KKR came calling, while looking for a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. Muzarabani stood to earn four times the value of his PSL deal at the IPL, about $160,000.
“The sanction serves as a necessary measure to safeguard the professional environment of the PSL,” a PSL statement said. “The PSL remains dedicated to ensuring that the league remains a platform where contractual certainty is respected and where the actions of all players and agents reflect the prestige of the tournament. The two-year ban reflects the gravity of the breach.”
The ban handed out to Muzarabani is double the length of the only other similar sanction handed out to a player who walked away from the PSL for the IPL. In 2025, Corbin Bosch was given a one-year ban from the PSL after he quit his deal with Peshawar Zalmi when Mumbai Indians signed him as an injury replacement. He remains at MI this season.
Muzarabani, however, is not the only player to have agreed terms at the PSL before opting to join the IPL. Sri Lanka T20 captain Dasun Shanaka and Lahore Qalandars also signed a deal, but Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the IPL swooped in looking for an injury replacement for Sam Curran. The day before the start of the PSL, Shanaka announced he would be leaving, with RR formally announcing the signing of the allrounder. The PSL had told ESPNcricinfo at the time there would be an inquiry into the matter, but no sanction has yet been announced.
Muzarabani has played two matches for KKR this season and picked a four-for against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but hasn’t got a game since April 2. KKR are currently bottom of the table, and the only side yet to win a game this IPL season.
