PSL bans Blessing Muzarabani for two years

Zimbabwe fast-bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been handed a two-year ban following his defection from the PSL to the IPL. The decision was announced on Tuesday, April 14. The 29-year-old had initially gone unsold at both the IPL and PSL auctions before being signed as a replacement player by Islamabad United. South Africa's Corbin Bosch had faced a one-year ban last season for a similar defection.

Subsequently, Muzarabani decided to give up his deal with the United after being approached by the Kolkata Knight Riders to play in the IPL. The signing came in the wake of the Knight Riders having to terminate their contract with Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman earlier.

Muzarabani has already featured in two games for the Knight Riders in the ongoing IPL. He picked up 4/41 in his second outing against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Spencer Johnson and Dasun Shanaka are two other players who withdrew from their PSL deals to be part of the IPL this season. While not confirmed at this stage, they are likely to face similar sanctions.

"Professionalism in franchise-based leagues requires participants to act with transparency and consistency. Entering into a conflicting engagement while a prior binding agreement subsists represents a departure from the expected standards of the game. Such conduct, if left unaddressed, erodes the reliability of dealings and the confidence that franchises, regulators, and stakeholders place in professional engagements," read a statement from the PSL.

"The two-year ban reflects the gravity of the breach," it further emphasised.