Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
The franchise confirmed the signing on March 13, bringing in the towering 6’8” quick to strengthen their pace attack.
Mustafizur, who had been purchased for ₹9.20 crore at the IPL auction, was released from the squad following a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) amid recent political tensions involving Bangladesh.
His sudden exit left a gap in the KKR bowling lineup, prompting the franchise to move quickly to secure Muzarabani, who recently impressed on the global stage.
Strong T20 World Cup Performance
The 29-year-old Zimbabwe pacer delivered an impressive performance at the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, finishing as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets.
One of his standout performances came against Australia national cricket team, where Muzarabani returned remarkable figures of 4/17, helping Zimbabwe national cricket team secure a memorable victory.
That win played a crucial role in Zimbabwe advancing to the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Muzarabani Chooses IPL Over PSL
The signing has also drawn attention because Muzarabani was already under contract with Islamabad United for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
The PSL is scheduled to begin on March 26, just two days before the IPL gets underway.
Muzarabani has previous success in the PSL, having won the tournament with Multan Sultans in 2021. During that campaign, he played six matches and picked up 10 wickets, playing a key role in guiding the franchise to its first PSL title.
A similar situation occurred last season when South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch withdrew from his contract with Peshawar Zalmi after signing with Mumbai Indians as an injury replacement. The PSL later imposed a one-season ban on Bosch following the move.
Tactical Boost For KKR’s Pace Attack
Standing at 6’8” (203 cm), Muzarabani is known for generating steep bounce from a hard length, making him a valuable asset on faster pitches.
The KKR coaching staff are likely to utilise his ability to extract bounce, particularly during the early stages of the IPL season, when surfaces tend to assist fast bowlers.
The signing also helps address injury concerns within the KKR pace unit. Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Indian fast bowler Harshit Rana is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee problem.
This could give Muzarabani a strong chance of featuring regularly alongside the team’s most expensive overseas signing, Cameron Green, who was acquired for ₹25.20 crore.
Previous IPL Experience
Although new to KKR, Muzarabani is not unfamiliar with the IPL environment.
He was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning squad in 2025, though he did not play a match during the campaign. Earlier in his career, he also served as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants during the 2022 season.
The Zimbabwe international is expected to arrive in Kolkata on March 17, where he will join the squad for their pre-season training camp at Eden Gardens.