Online Reporter
Zimbabwe international Blessing Muzarabani’s agency has hit back at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) after the pacer was handed a two-year ban, arguing that he never signed a formal contract before opting to join Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.
Muzarabani was initially announced as a replacement signing in the PSL for a deal worth PKR 11 million (approximately US$39,380).
However, he later withdrew and signed for KKR as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman, prompting disciplinary action from the league.
His agency, World Sports Xchange, has now publicly contested the decision, stating that the pacer cannot be accused of breaching a contract that was never issued.
“We’ve remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause any more animosity,” the agency said, adding that it was now compelled to respond due to the “voluminous and disgusting nature of criticism” directed at the player.
According to the agency, Islamabad United had approached Muzarabani regarding a potential PSL opportunity, with terms agreed subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket.
However, they stressed that such an NOC cannot be obtained without a formal contract, which they claim was never provided.
“An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL,” the statement read, adding that the league and franchise had nevertheless “announced the signing to the world via social media.”The agency further claimed that even two weeks after the announcement, no contract had been issued. “Still no contract received from PSL/Islamabad United,” the statement said, explaining that it was only after this delay that KKR approached the player and completed a deal.
Reiterating their stance, the agency said: “You simply cannot breach a contract you have never received.”World Sports Xchange also criticised the severity of the punishment, calling the two-year ban disproportionate.
“We feel any ban on participation in the PSL is incredibly excessive and is not consistent with the punishment given to players that have actually breached a contract in the past,” the statement read.The agency urged the PSL to reconsider its decision and accept responsibility for what it termed an administrative lapse.
“We urge the PSL to gracefully withdraw the ban and accept this situation for what it is, an administrative error at their end, nothing more,” it added.
Despite the strong stance, the agency maintained that there was no hostility towards the league or franchise, stating: “We bear no grudges toward the PSL or Islamabad United.”
The situation continues to develop following the agency’s statement.—MSN.
