Pakistan Cricket Board bans Blessing Muzarabani for ditching PSL contract for IPL stint
Blessing Muzarabani (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 14 Apr 2026, 02:37 PM• Read time - 2 mins
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani from participating in the following two seasons of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), for not honouring his contractual obligations to the league. Muzarabani had signed a deal with Islamabad United to play in the ongoing PSL 2026. However, he pulled out of his contract to ply his trade in the Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026).
Muzarabani was later signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the ongoing season, as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, who was released from the squad, upon directives from the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). As a result, Muzarabani has been banned for undermining the professional framework of the league, according to PCB.
"Following a thorough disciplinary review, the PCB has announced that Zimbabwean cricketer Blessing Muzarabani is declared ineligible to participate in the next two (2) editions of the HBL PSL, effective immediately. This decision stems from a fundamental failure to honor agreed-upon commitments, an action that undermines the professional framework of the league," said PCB in a media release.
The PCB also noted that the move was made to safeguard the professional environment of the PSL and ensure that contractual certainty is respected going forward.
"The sanction serves as a necessary measure to safeguard the professional environment of the PSL. 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. While the PSL acknowledges the complexities of modern cricket schedules, it will not compromise on the ethical framework that ensures fairness to the franchises and the integrity of the league’s recruitment processes," the statement added.
Muzarabani becomes 2nd player to face a ban
Muzarabani went unsold in the PSL 2026 auction but was later acquired by Islamabad United through a direct signing, as a replacement for West Indies' Shamar Joseph. Earlier in 2025, Corbin Bosch was also banned for one season of PSL after pulling out of his contract.
He was signed as a Diamond Pick by Peshawar Zalm, but later pulled out of his contract and was subsequently signed as an injury replacement by Mumbai Indians (MI).
