IPL 2026 : Just two weeks before the start of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, Kolkata Knight Riders have made an important change to their squad. The franchise has brought in Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman.
The announcement was made on March 13, with Muzarabani expected to link up with the squad on March 17. His inclusion comes at a crucial time as the defending champions look to strengthen their pace attack before the tournament begins.
Muzarabani’s Pace Adds Depth to Bowling Attack
Muzarabani, known for his height and bounce, has been in impressive form in the shortest format. The Zimbabwean quick picked up 13 wickets in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, showcasing his ability to trouble batters with pace and steep bounce.
KKR’s fast-bowling department had recently faced setbacks due to injuries to Matheesha Pathirana and Harshit Rana. With those concerns in mind, the team management moved quickly to secure Muzarabani’s services to add depth and reliability to their pace unit.
PSL Deal Dropped to Join IPL
Interestingly, Muzarabani had initially signed up to participate in the Pakistan Super League, but he withdrew from that commitment in order to join the IPL franchise. His decision highlights the growing global appeal and priority players often give to the IPL.
Mustafizur’s Exit and New PSL Move
KKR had originally purchased Mustafizur Rahman in the auction for ₹9.20 crore, making him one of their key overseas pace options. However, the franchise eventually decided to release him.
According to reports, the move came after informal guidance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The situation became sensitive following protests by certain political and religious groups related to incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, which led to controversy around the player’s participation.
Shortly after leaving KKR, Mustafizur signed with Lahore Qalandars for the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League.
Another IPL vs PSL Moment
This is the second consecutive year where a player has prioritized the IPL over the PSL despite having an agreement in place. Last year, South African cricketer Corbin Bosch opted to play in the IPL instead of the PSL, after which the Pakistan Cricket Board imposed a one-year ban on him.
Muzarabani’s decision to withdraw from the PSL to join KKR is being viewed as another setback for the PCB as the IPL continues to dominate the global T20 league landscape.