Blessing Muzarabani - Zimbabwe - Bowler

Blessing Muzarabani is armed with natural pace and bounce and is regarded as one of the best fast bowling talents to emerge from the country in the last decade. He has a gift of height and delivers the ball at a height greater than Morne Morkel. At a young age of 21, he can clock 135-140 and is already the quickest bowler in the Zimbabwean circuit.

By playing only a handful of matches, Muzarabani has come up the ranks very early. Muzarabani made his Test debut against South Africa in the historical four-day pink ball Test and clearly the inexperience showed as he returned wicket less on a pitch that had lateral movement as well as bounce. Zimbabwe were hammered inside two days and so was the confidence of Muzarabani.

In his ODI debut against Bangladesh he bowled four no-balls in a row which brought down the expectations of Heath Streak and the team management from him. But make no mistake, he has all the raw materials to become one of the finest fast bowlers Zimbabwe has ever produced. But for that to happen the potential has to be transformed into perseverance and then into performance.

He is often being termed as a replica of Kagiso Rabada in the Zimbabwean domestic circuit and if his first couple of years in the International cricket are anywhere close to Kagiso Rabada's then Zimbabwe cricket will be served excellently.

Despite these high expectations, Muzarabani couldn’t make his early opportunities with Zimbabwe count. In 2018, he made himself unable for selection for Zimbabwe and signed with Northamptonshire as a Kolpak player. In his first season for Northamptonshire, he took 17 wickets at an average of just under 28 in 7 first class appearances. Due to the rule changes regarding Kolpak players, Muzarabani’s county stint was cut short and returned to Zimbabwe in 2020.

Blessing Muzarabani was picked for the home series against Pakistan in November, 2020 and rewarded his inclusion by picking a five wicket haul in one of the ODIs. Since then, Muzarabani has been a regular feature in Zimbabwe’s white ball setup, and has remains an intimidating figure with his 6ft8 intimidating figure and extra pace.

Apart from Internationals, Muzarabani has made a name for himself in franchise cricket. He was picked as a replacement player for Obed McCoy by Multan Sultans in the 2021 PSL season, and returned 10 wickets in 6 games as his franchise won the title. He was also picked as a net bowler for the 2022 IPL season by Lucknow Super Giants.