New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) The Kolkata Knight Riders have officially acquired Blessing Muzarabani for the anticipated Indian Premier League 2026.

This impressive 6 ft 8” right-arm fast bowler has established himself as one of Zimbabwe's premier pace bowlers in the T20 format, recognized for his remarkable bounce and knack for taking wickets during crucial moments of the game. According to a franchise announcement, Muzarabani boasts a wealth of T20 experience, having taken over 90 wickets in more than 80 T20 Internationals with an impressive average of around 21, including his best performance of 3/8.

He is expected to reach Kolkata on March 17.

His pace and reliability in various global leagues and international cricket will bolster KKR's bowling lineup as they head into the new season.

Muzarabani joins KKR following a standout performance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Zimbabwe, securing 13 wickets, the fourth-highest overall in the tournament.

The towering fast bowler was instrumental during the Sri Lanka segment of the tournament, delivering match-winning performances against both Australia and Sri Lanka.

Previously, he had signed up with Islamabad United as a substitute for Shamar Joseph during the Pakistan Super League 2026 season. However, he has now opted out of that competition to seize this opportunity in the IPL.

Muzarabani's familiarity with subcontinental conditions and his recent form are likely to be significant assets for the three-time IPL champions.

He was part of the title-winning squad for Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season, although he did not participate in any matches during that series.

Earlier, KKR had released Mustafizur Rahman, the Bangladeshi pace bowler, from their IPL roster following directives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

This decision was made amid considerable controversy regarding the player's involvement in the lucrative event.

Concerns arose after reports of violence against members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh surfaced in December. Additionally, critics voiced strong objections to Rahman's participation in the IPL.

Rahman gained significant attention when KKR acquired him for a record fee of Rs 9.20 crore during the December mini-auction, making him the highest-paid Bangladeshi cricketer in IPL history. He was acquired from a starting bid of Rs 2 crore amid intense competition between the Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.

The 30-year-old has taken 65 wickets across 60 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 8.13 since his IPL debut with Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016. He has played for multiple franchises, including Mumbai Indians in 2018, Rajasthan Royals in 2021, Delhi Capitals in 2022-23, and Chennai Super Kings in 2024.

Last season, he represented DC in the IPL 2025 after being signed as a replacement for Jake Fraser-McGurk, who was injured.