Blessing Muzarabani, who had a remarkable campaign in the 2026 T20 World Cup, has withdrawn from the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) after receiving a call-up to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Zimbabwean speedster had gone unsold at the PSL auction last month but became a direct signing by Islamabad United as a replacement player for West Indies’ Shamar Joseph. However, he has chosen to play in the IPL over PSL.
Muzarabani will return to India after recently finishing off a commendable World Cup campaign in the subcontinent where his team stunned Sri Lanka and Australia to make it to the Super Eights. In the six games he played in India and Sri Lanka, the right-arm seamer accounted for 13 wickets – only Indian seamer Jasprit Bumrah and mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy picked more (14 wickets each in 8 and 9 matches respectively) in the marquee event.
Muzarabani is expected to reach Kolkata on Tuesday, March 17, and link up with the Knights. Earlier this year, KKR had to terminate Bangladesh seamer Mustafizur Rahman’s contract, after having secured his services for INR 9.20 Crore. KKR’s other high-profile fast bowling signing – Matheesha Pathirana meanwhile, is still undergoing rehabilitation for the injury he sustained midway during the recently-concluded T20 World Cup.
Muzarabani, who stands at 6 feet 8 inches, joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru late last season as a temporary replacement player. He didn’t play a match but was part of the squad which lifted the IPL title for the first time. So, KKR have signed an IPL winner in their setup, who is in the form of his life.
Muzarabani, 29, has played 137 T20s so far, picking up 155 wickets at an average of 22.76 and a strike rate of 18.50. His economy rate of 7.35 is outstanding, especially for someone who bowls in the powerplay and also in the death overs.
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KKR are set to begin their IPL 2026 campaign on Saturday, March 29, at the Wankhede Stadium against Mumbai Indians.
