KKR sign Blessing Muzarabani as Zimbabwe pacer withdraws from PSL 2026
Blessing Muzarabani (Source: X/@ZimCricketv)
Published - 13 Mar 2026, 07:01 PMā¢ Read time - 2 mins
Star Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani will turn up for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026 after withdrawing from playing for the Islamabad United in PSL 2026. The development came to light when KKR posted about the signing on their social media handles on Friday, March 13.
Earlier, Muzarabani had gone unpicked in the PSL auction held on February 11, however, he was signed by United subsequently after Shamar Joseph was released. The 2026 edition of Pakistan's T20 league would have been the 29-year-old's fourth season with a third team after representing Rawalpindi and Karachi Kings.
On the other hand, the Zimbabwean would be a part of an IPL team for the second time. The right-armer was signed up as a temporary replacement by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) late last season, but the lanky bowler did not get to play a game. KKR's signing of Muzarabani was apparently necessitated by the absence of Mustafizur Rahman after the Bangladeshi fast bowler had to be released due to the BCCI's diktat. Incidentally, the left-armer was signed by Lahore Qalandars later on.
Meanwhile, the price at which KKR have signed Muzarabani is not yet known though. The pacer is reportedly scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on March 17 with the franchise slated to begin their campaign on March 29 against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
A new Blessing in Purple & Gold šš„ pic.twitter.com/p31V3LsGfm
ā KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 13, 2026
Importantly, it is not clear as of now whether the Zimbabwean pacer would suffer any consequences for his withdrawal from the PSL. As a matter of fact, Corbin Bosch who was signed up by Peshawar Zalmi last year withdrew closer to the commencement of the season after being inducted by Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement. As a result, the PSL banned the South African for one year.
Talking about the Zimbabwean's T20 record, the bowler has scalped 155 wickets in 133 innings at an average of 22.76 and an economy rate of 7.35. Notably, Muzarabani was in excellent form in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026 picking up 13 wickets in six innings and finishing as the joint third-highest wicket-taker.
