Muzarabani Handed Two-Year Pakistan Super League Ban After IPL Switch

 

Zimbabwe international fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned from the Pakistan Super League for two years after opting to play in the Indian Premier League instead of honouring a prior agreement with PSL franchise Islamabad United.

The 29-year-old paceman had initially gone unsold during both the PSL and IPL auctions but was later signed by Islamabad United. However, he subsequently accepted an opportunity to join Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League as a replacement for Bangladeshi seamer Mustafizur Rahman, who was released following directives issued by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

With the IPL and PSL schedules overlapping in recent seasons, players are effectively forced to choose between the two competitions, making dual participation impossible.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Muzarabani had breached contractual obligations after accepting essential terms with Islamabad United before pursuing a conflicting arrangement elsewhere.

“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, adding that abandoning such commitments undermines professional standards and good faith within international sport.

The decision mirrors disciplinary action taken previously against South African fast bowler Corbin Bosch, who received a one-year PSL ban after turning down Peshawar Zalmi to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL last year.