Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani slapped with two‑year PSL ban after choosing IPL's Kolkata Knight Riders

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been banned from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for two years after he abandoned a pre‑agreed deal with Islamabad United to play for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 29‑year‑old was initially signed by Islamabad United despite going unsold in both the IPL and PSL auctions. However, when Kolkata Knight Riders needed a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman – who was released under BCCI instructions – Muzarabani opted to join the IPL side instead.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials condemned the move, stating that the player “disregarded his obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement” and violated the contractual principles that underpin professional sport.

The IPL and PSL now run almost concurrently, making it practically impossible for an international player to feature in both competitions within the same season.

Similar disciplinary action has been taken before: South African bowler Corbin Bosch received a one‑year PSL ban after he chose to play for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, turning down a contract with Peshawar Zalmi.

Pakistani cricketers have been absent from the IPL since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when geopolitical tensions led Indian franchises to stop selecting players from across the western border.

Recent concerns about Indian‑owned teams in other leagues, such as England’s The Hundred, have also surfaced. Those worries were eased when Pakistani pacer Abrar Ahmed was signed by the Indian‑owned Sunrisers Leeds, though the move sparked a social‑media backlash and drew criticism from former India star Sunil Gavaskar, who claimed the signing “indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians”.