Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has responded after being banned from the next two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying he never received a formal contract and therefore could not have violated one.
Muzarabani was originally expected to join Islamabad United for PSL 11 but later withdrew and signed for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL as a replacement player.
In a statement released through his representatives, the pacer’s camp said they had remained silent for the past six weeks to avoid escalating the issue. However, they decided to respond after growing criticism and backlash on social media.
According to the statement, Muzarabani and Islamabad United reached an agreement on February 13, but it was dependent on obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket. His representatives argued that this process could not be completed without a formal contract from either the franchise or the league.
They further stated that no contract had been provided by February 27. By then, Muzarabani reportedly received an offer from Kolkata Knight Riders and accepted the opportunity.
His camp insisted that the player was never drafted in the PSL auction and was not given any employment contract. They argued that a player cannot be accused of breaching an agreement that was never officially finalized.
The representatives also described the two-year ban as excessive, claiming it was harsher than penalties given in similar previous cases. They urged the PSL authorities to reconsider and withdraw the decision, calling the matter an administrative error rather than player misconduct.
The statement also condemned the online abuse directed at Muzarabani, saying the criticism had gone too far.
Muzarabani, 29, has so far played two matches for Kolkata Knight Riders after joining them as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman.
