Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BLESSING Muzarabani went to India hoping for a big IPL campaign. He returns after playing only two matches and spending most of his time watching from the sidelines.
For a player who arrived carrying confidence after a strong T20 World Cup with Zimbabwe, things never really got going.
The 2026 Indian Premier League has now moved into the knock-out stages but Muzarabani and his Kolkata Knight Riders side were out of the race long before that.
KKR finished seventh after managing six wins and seven defeats.
Muzarabani played only two matches and picked up four wickets. It is a far cry from the form he showed for the Chevrons at the T20 World Cup where he finished with 13 wickets.
The biggest frustration for Muzarabani was game time itself. For most of the tournament he watched from the dug-out.
His stay in India also came with trouble away from the field.
Muzarabani found himself caught in the middle of the IPL and Pakistan Super League fallout after pulling out of a deal with Islamabad United to join Kolkata. That decision later earned him a two-year ban from the PSL.
Still, Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons says there is no need to panic.
“I don’t really have any comments on the tiff between the PSL and IPL,” said Sammons.
“I don’t know the contract stories, so it’s difficult for me to comment if I don’t know the details around it.” Sammons said there is still value in players going to these big leagues even if they do not get many matches.
“It is obviously great when we get as many as four players getting signed and called up for these leagues and competitions,” he said.
“It is a great experience and exposure to different coaches and the best players in the world.”
“I have no concerns that they didn’t play much as the exposure and experience is just as good. “These are top leagues and there’s only a certain amount of overseas players that can play, so it’s expected.”
“Blessing will be back soon and we have had little chats here and there. He is good.”
Muzarabani was not alone.
Ryan Burl and Brian Bennett also struggled for game time during their time in Pakistan with Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi.
Burl and Bennett are already back in the country while Muzarabani is expected back as Zimbabwe continue preparations for next month’s series against Bangladesh.
Sammons also gave an update on Chevrons captain Richard Ngarava, who is still recovering from a back problem.
