PLAYING an obscure role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) does not worry Zimbabwean pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani (pictured).
He is in elite company and savouring each moment, perhaps making up for Zimbabwe’s failure to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, the first time the southern African country had not been to the tournament since the 1983 edition.
His IPL debut was greeted with much enthusiasm from Zimbabwean cricket lovers. Muzarabani is only the fourth Zimbabwean to take part in the most prestigious cricket league in the world after Tatenda Taibu, Ray Price and Brendan Taylor.
The 25-year-old paceman was drafted by the Andy Flower-coached Lucknow Super Giants as a net bowler at the beginning of the season.
Sweating it off daily in the nets, bowling to the world’s best like Indian vice-captain KL Rahul and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock, Muzarabani believes he is contributing positively to Lucknow’s success in IPL.
Lucknow is second in the IPL, a position that makes them a favourite to at least reach the later stages of the tournament.
“It has been good being here, “Muzarabani tells The NewsReport in an interview.
The team is so welcoming. I am really enjoying my time here. In IPL there are a lot of big names whom I enjoy bowling to. I enjoy bowling to KL Rahul, he is one of the top batsmen in the world. There are also the like of Quinto De Cock and lot of big names.”
Before joining the IPL, Muzarabani previously played for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
He spent two seasons with Multan, winning the 2021 PSL title.
But despite making the IPL auction shortlist, Muzarabani failed to find suitors in the main tournament.
Having impressed former Zimbabwe captain Flower in Pakistan, Muzarabani would find himself in IPL, albeit as net bowler.
“I was happy when Andy Flower gave me the opportunity. It is always good to be in that environment and rub shoulders with the best players in the world. It is good to work with a Zimbabwean coach. Andy liked the way I played against Pakistan and then he gave me the opportunity to play in the PSL. Obviously, he liked, and he gave me the opportunity to come and train Lucknow. We are cool, and he is a good coach. He is always supportive and pushing.”
One of Zimbabwe’s brightest prospects over the past five years, Muzarabani desires to represent his country at the World Cup.
“The biggest thing I would want to achieve is going to the World Cup and create that environment of winning games. That is the goal really, we just need to keep working hard,” he says. – The NewsReport.com
