KKR sign Blessing Muzarabani as Mustafizur Rahman’s replacement:Zimbabwe pacer ditches PSL to play in IPL 2026

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have signed Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman ahead of IPL 2026. The three-time champions announced this signing on social media. Mustafizur was signed by KKR for a whopping sum of Rs 9.2 crore last year, making him the most expensive Bangladeshi player in the IPL. But the pacer was released after outrage over anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh. Blessing Muzarabani ditches PSL to play IPL The Zimbabwe pacer was among the standout performers for his side at the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Muzarabani was picked earlier as a direct signing by Islamabad United for PSL 2026 (Pakistan Super League) in place of Shamar Joseph. According to ESPN, Muzarabani informed Islamabad of his decision to withdraw from their squad. The right-arm fast bowler had earlier won the PSL with Multan Sultans. Blessing Muzarabani’s standout show in T20 WC Muzarabani was one of the best players at the T20 World Cup that ended earlier this month. The pacer finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 13 wickets in six matches. One of his most memorable performances in the T20 World Cup where he took 4/17 to help Zimbabwe defeat Australia by 23 runs in one of the stunning upsets in the tournament history. He was included in the T20 World Cup team of the tournament as well. Blessing Muzarabani was part of RCB in IPL 2026 Muzarabani was earlier a part of RCB in their title-winning campaign last year. The Zimbabwe pacer had joined RCB as a replacement for Lungi Ngidi in the latter stages of the tournament. However, he did not play any match.