Blessing Muzarabani has withdrawn from the 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after securing a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Zimbabwe fast bowler had been set to represent Islamabad United but informed the franchise of his decision to step away after confirming his IPL opportunity.

Muzarabani’s signing with Kolkata Knight Riders was officially confirmed on Friday. The move comes after the franchise had been instructed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to release Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. Mustafizur had been purchased during the IPL auction for INR 9.2 crore but was later released and subsequently signed by Lahore Qalandars ahead of the PSL season.

Muzarabani had initially gone unsold during the PSL auction held on February 11. However, Islamabad United later secured his services through a direct signing after they released West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph from their squad. The deal was expected to strengthen Islamabad’s bowling attack, but the franchise will now have to adjust their plans following Muzarabani’s withdrawal.

The scheduling clash between the IPL and PSL has created complications for franchises and players for the second consecutive year, as both tournaments run at the same time. This situation has already led to instances where players signed by PSL teams have later moved to the IPL.

A similar situation occurred last year when South African allrounder Corbin Bosch, initially signed by Peshawar Zalmi as a Diamond Pick, later joined Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement. Bosch’s withdrawal from the PSL resulted in the tournament imposing a one-season ban on the player, raising questions about whether a similar penalty could apply to Muzarabani. Officials from the PSL have not yet confirmed if disciplinary action will be taken in this case.

Despite the controversy surrounding his withdrawal, Muzarabani has been in excellent form in recent months. The Zimbabwe pacer delivered outstanding performances during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, playing a crucial role in helping Zimbabwe national cricket team top their group and reach the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

He finished the competition with 13 wickets in six matches, narrowly missing out on being the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. One of his most memorable performances came in a dominant victory over Australia national cricket team, where he claimed four wickets and helped Zimbabwe secure a significant upset.

Muzarabani also has previous success in the PSL, having been part of the title-winning squad with Multan Sultans earlier in his career. His pace, bounce and ability to extract movement from different surfaces have made him a valuable asset in T20 leagues around the world.

With his move to Kolkata Knight Riders confirmed, Muzarabani will now look to make an impact in the IPL. Meanwhile, Islamabad United and PSL officials will continue assessing the implications of his withdrawal as both tournaments prepare for another season running simultaneously.