ZIMBABWE premier fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has carried his rich vein of form from the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup into the fast-paced, lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), where he is turning out for Kolkata giants Kolkata Knight Riders.
The lanky seamer made the T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament. With that milestone, Muzarabani was not short of suitors; he walked away from a PSL contract in Pakistan for the more fancied IPL.
And, to justify his worth, Muzarabani is standing tall in the IPL. His recent four-wicket haul albeit in a 65-run defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens was a bowling masterclass, mixing bouncers, accuracy and relentless line and length to trouble Hyderabad’s batters.
Muzarabani was on the money, claiming T20I’s leading batters Abhishek Sharma and Hyderabad captain Ishan Kishan, ranked first and second respectively. Their presence in the T20 World Cup–winning side and possibly in India’s squad touring Zimbabwe in July adds interest. India are Zimbabwe-bound for a three-match T20I series. After meeting in the Super 8 stage at the World Cup, Zimbabwe may still have a bone to pick, and Muzarabani is giving India’s batters a taste of what to expect in Harare.
The towering Takashinga Cricket Club seamer took those two wickets in one over. He completed his four-wicket return in the final over, dismissing South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen and India’s Shivang Kumar to finish with 4 for 41 in four overs. Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 226/8 before bowling Kolkata Knight Riders out for 161 in 16 overs. Muzarabani did not bat. He was replaced by New Zealand top-order batter Finn Allen, the impact sub.
Meanwhile, apart from hosting India in July, Zimbabwe are set to tour India for the first time in 25 years for a three-match ODI series in January, as their stock rises. Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni called it a landmark moment.
“It is a landmark moment for Zimbabwe to be touring India again for a bilateral ODI series after more than two decades,” Makoni said in a statement.
“India is one of the premier destinations in world cricket, and this tour represents both an honour and a valuable opportunity for our players. We are looking forward to competitive, high-quality cricket, and we believe this engagement will further strengthen the relationship between the two cricketing nations while providing invaluable exposure for our team.”
The matches are scheduled for January 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, January 6 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and January 9 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.