Islamabad United hits back at Muzarabani (Source: AFP, AP)
PSL 2026 was supposed to be Pakistan’s answer to the IPL, but the ongoing season has been nothing short of controversial. From ball-tampering allegations to a fuel shortage, this PSL campaign has turned out to be a disaster for fans and all stakeholders.
Apart from that, Blessing Muzarabani's PSL deal was also controversial: the Zimbabwean star was roped in by Islamabad United ahead of the ongoing season, but he refused to join the league and later joined the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.
Muzarabani was supposed to join his Islamabad United teammates ahead of PSL 2026, but in a shocking turn of events, he ditched PSL, as IPL came calling. As a result, a furious Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the PCB, took strict action and the fast bowler was declared ineligible to participate in the next two editions of the PSL.
Muzarabani hits back at Naqvi's PCB
After the PSL ban was imposed, Muzarabani’s managing team clapped back at PCB, stating that the pacer never really signed a deal with Islamabad United, as he never received any formal contract from the franchise.
"Blessing approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. Deal Agreed SUBJECT TO obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket. Note: An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL," the agency posted.
Hence, when Knight Riders approached him, Muzarabani decided to join them, instead of waiting for a PSL contract.
"Blessing was not drafted in the auction, ot provided with a contract of employment from the PSL. You simply cannot breach a contract you have never received. We feel any ban on participation in the PSL is incredibly excessive and is not consistent with the punishment given to players who have actually breached a contract in the past. I have never seen a player so publicly admonished and criticised for doing nothing wrong," Muzarabani's managing team stated.
Also Read: Blessing Muzarabani Publicly Exposes Mohsin Naqvi After PSL Ban, Shares Shocking Details Of KKR Deal
Blessing Muzarabani's PSL team defends PCB's actions
After a press release was revealed by Muzarabani’s managing team, wherein they slammed PCB’s actions, Islamabad United owner, Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi hit back at the Zimbabwean bowler, by stating that a deal between the player and the franchise was already signed over an email.
"Blessing Muzarabani was announced as a replacement pick after an agreement between the player and franchise over his fee and availability. He confirmed his participation in the tournament via email.
Players sign their PSL contracts after arriving in the country."
What happens next in Muzarabani-PCB saga
As of Sunday, the 29-year-old fast bowler is still banned from participating in the PSL by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Strict actions have been taken against those PSL-bound players who had signed a deal with their respective franchises, but later ditched them to join the IPL.
South African all-rounder, Corbin Bosch met with the same fate last year, when he left PSL to join the Mumbai Indians. However, Muzarabani’s case is different, as the lanky pacer had not signed a physical contractual deal with the Islamabad United and had only given his verbal approval via email.
In such circumstances, the PCB and the PSL might have no choice left, but to lift the ban imposed on the Zimbabwean fast bowler.
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