‘You can’t breach a contract you never received’: Muzarabani’s camp slams 'excessive' PSL ban

TL;DR

Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani has been handed a two-year ban by the PSL for withdrawing from a deal to join the league. His agency claims the ban is unjustified as no formal contract was ever signed.

Key points

Blessing Muzarabani received a two-year ban from the PSL.
The ban was due to his withdrawal from a PSL deal for an IPL opportunity.
His agency claims no formal contract was signed, making the ban unjustified.

Mentioned in this story

Pakistan Super LeagueWorld Sports XchangeZimbabwe Cricket

Blessing MuzarabaniKolkata Knight RidersIslamabad United

NEW DELHI: Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani has found himself at the centre of a growing controversy and his agency strongly refuted the Pakistan Super League’s decision to hand him a two-year ban. The fast bowler, currently representing Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026, was penalised for withdrawing from a PSL deal to take up an IPL opportunity. However, his representatives have now issued a firm clarification, insisting that no formal contract was ever signed, making the ban unjustified.

Muzarabani was initially lined up as a replacement signing in the PSL, reportedly on a deal worth PKR 11 million, before opting to join KKR as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. The move triggered disciplinary action from the PSL, led by Mohsin Naqvi, citing breach of commitment. But the player’s agency, World Sports Xchange, has pushed back strongly, arguing that the very basis of the punishment is flawed.

‘No contract, no breach’: Muzarabani's agency calls ban excessive

In a detailed statement, the agency clarified that while Muzarabani had been approached by Islamabad United, the agreement remained conditional and was dependent on securing a No Objection Certificate from Zimbabwe Cricket. Crucially, they pointed out that such an NOC requires a valid, signed contract — something that was never provided.

“You simply cannot breach a contract you have never received,” the statement said, directly challenging the PSL’s stance.

The agency further revealed that when KKR approached Muzarabani on February 27, there were no binding obligations preventing him from accepting the IPL offer. They described the ban as “incredibly excessive” and inconsistent with past cases involving actual contractual breaches. Calling it an administrative lapse, they urged the PSL to “gracefully withdraw the ban” and correct what they termed an error on the league’s part.

Amid the off-field storm, Muzarabani has begun making his mark on the field. After going wicketless on debut, he bounced back impressively with a four-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad, underlining his value to KKR despite limited opportunities so far.

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Q&A

Why was Blessing Muzarabani banned from the PSL?

Blessing Muzarabani was banned for withdrawing from a PSL deal to join the IPL, which the PSL deemed a breach of commitment.

What is the value of the PSL deal that Muzarabani withdrew from?

The PSL deal that Muzarabani reportedly withdrew from was worth PKR 11 million.

What reasons did Muzarabani's agency give for contesting the ban?

Muzarabani's agency argued that the ban is unjustified because no formal contract was signed, and the agreement was conditional on obtaining a No Objection Certificate from Zimbabwe Cricket.