Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has banned Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani for two years from playing in Pakistan Super League (PSL). Muzarabani had accepted a deal with Islamabad United before joining three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as Mustafizur Rahman's replacement.
"In this instance, despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favor of a conflicting arrangement," PCB said in a statement.
PSL in a statement said that the ban is to ensure that players understand the gravity of the breach despite a prior binding agreement.
"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 added.
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi had promised that a strict action will be taken against overseas players for leaving PSL franchises to join IPL.
"We will take action against those players according to the rules. There was a case last year, too [Corbin Bosch, who was banned from the PSL for one year], and the same thing will happen this time. Clashing with the IPL is not an issue because if players are going there, we're getting excellent players coming here as well. We could not afford to postpone the PSL because we have no other window all year," Naqvi had said.
Apart from Muzarabani, Sri Lanka's T20I captain Dasun Shanaka had left Lahore Qalandars to join Rajasthan Royals as injured Sam Curran's replacement. Also, Australia's left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson left Quetta Gladiators to sign for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). An action against Shanaka and Johnson is yet to be taken by PCB.
Last year, South Africa’s Corbin Bosch faced a one-year ban for ditching Peshawar Zalmi and joining Mumbai Indians (MI) as their replacement player for an injured Lizaad Williams.
Muzarabani in his debut IPL season so far
Muzarabani made his IPL debut against MI on March 29. He claimed a four-fer in a losing cause against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at KKR's homeground. The ban comes hours ahead of KKR’s clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).