Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been hit with a two-year ban in the Pakistan Super League after a contract-related breach connected to his move to the Indian Premier League. The 31-year-old pacer had an agreement with a PSL franchise when he chose to pursue an IPL opportunity, even though he ultimately did not earn a spot through the auctions in either league.
Why Muzarabani’s PSL ban was imposed
- Muzarabani was handed a two-year suspension by the PSL, linked to his decision to join the IPL despite still being under contract with a PSL side.
- He went unsold at both the IPL and PSL auctions before later being added by Islamabad United as a replacement player.
- After that replacement deal, Muzarabani opted to step away from the commitment and sign with Kolkata Knight Riders as a replacement for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
- KKR had earlier ended Mustafizur’s contract due to the continuing political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
- Muzarabani has already played two matches for KKR, producing standout numbers of 4/41 in the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The PSL said the central issue was conduct that undermines the integrity of franchise-based competition. It stressed that players are expected to be transparent and consistent, and that entering a competing engagement while an earlier binding arrangement remains in place falls short of professional standards. The league added that leaving such matters unaddressed can weaken confidence in dealings across leagues, franchises, regulators and other stakeholders.
“The two-year ban reflects the gravity of the breach,” the PSL also noted.
The PSL’s action is not unprecedented. South Africa all-rounder Corbin Bosch was given a one-year ban in the previous season for a similar reason, and this year Dasun Shanaka and Spencer Johnson have also made comparable decisions. They are expected to encounter sanctions along the same lines from the PSL.
Dhoni’s fitness update ahead of KKR clash
On the IPL front, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni has had a limited preparation session in the nets ahead of CSK’s meeting with three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk Stadium, though a return to the playing XI still looks unlikely.
Dhoni has missed all four of CSK’s IPL fixtures so far this season due to a calf strain, and he is also expected to miss the fifth match against KKR. The 44-year-old is still working to regain full fitness.
CSK had announced on March 28 that Dhoni would sit out the opening two weeks of the campaign and would go through rehabilitation. That two-week window has now passed, but he has not yet shown the match-level sharpness needed for full involvement.
During training sessions, Dhoni has not been batting at full intensity and has instead faced throwdowns. The throwdowns have been delivered particularly by batting coach and former CSK team-mate Michael Hussey. Dhoni also did not take part in wicketkeeping practice during this preparation period.
Further, the legendary batter has not travelled with the squad for any of CSK’s matches—neither for away games in Guwahati and Bengaluru nor for the home fixtures at Chepauk on match days.
