Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani has spoken of the support he got from his fellow countryman Andy Flower who was his coach at Pakistan Super League cricket champions, Multan Sultans.
Muzarabani was signed by the Sultans when the PSL resumed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on 9 June as a replacement for West Indian Obed McCoy.
The tall fast bowler made a huge impact as he finished with 10 wickets in the six matches he played, with best figures of 3/31 against Islamabad United in the qualifier.
In last Thursday’s final, Muzarabani came to the party with 2/26 in four overs as the Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 47 runs to win the PSL for the first time ever.
“I’m really happy. It was really good, really tough cricket. You have to get it right against the guys who take you on, it was good, a good learning experience. Especially Andy it’s been really nice. No pressure, especially when I go for runs. He supports me and says just keep going buddy,’’ Muzarabani said.
Muzarabani’s exploits could open doors of opportunities for more Zimbabwean players to play in the top Twenty20 leagues in the world. Wesley Madhevere, Luke Jongwe and Tadiwanashe Marumani are some of the players with chances of playing in some of the T20 leagues dotted around the globe.
Tatenda Taibu and Raymond Price are the only Zimbabwean players who have played in the top T20 league in the world, the Indian Premier League.
Taibu played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 while Price was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians in 2011.
Another Zimbabwean, Brendan Taylor was signed by the Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2014 IPL but he never got to play in the league. Taylor opted to miss some matches in the IPL because of wedding and was later informed by the Sunrisers to remain on standby and he never got to join the team.
After his exploits in the PSL, it should not come as a surprise if Muzarabani gets an IPL contract in 2022. -@Mdawini_29