Kolkata Knight Riders have moved to strengthen their pace attack by signing Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, two months after the franchise dropped Bangladesh left-armer Mustafizur Rahman from their squad.

The signing was confirmed on Friday, ending a period in which Kolkata had not brought in a replacement despite the noise surrounding Mustafizur’s removal. Muzarabani now arrives at the franchise after drawing attention with his bowling in the recent T20 World Cup.

His decision has also had an immediate effect elsewhere. After agreeing to join Kolkata, the Zimbabwe pacer pulled out of the Pakistan Super League. According to ESPNcricinfo, he had already informed Islamabad United of his choice after being signed by the PSL side.

Mustafizur’s own journey over the past few months had already become one of the more closely watched stories around the franchise leagues. During the IPL auction in December, Kolkata fought hard to secure the experienced Bangladesh seamer for INR 9.20 crore.

That move, however, was undone the following month when Kolkata released him following a directive from the BCCI. The development created significant discussion, particularly in Bangladesh, where the decision was seen as more than just a routine squad change.

The report says the issue went on to affect cricket relations between Bangladesh and India, with the tension later carrying into the World Cup. It adds that Bangladesh did not travel to India for the tournament because of security concerns, and the event eventually went ahead without them.

Only two days after Kolkata removed Mustafizur, a PSL deal for the left-arm seamer was announced. Lahore Qalandars later signed him for PKR 6.44 crore.

Muzarabani had a different path into this season’s PSL. No franchise picked him at the February draft, but Islamabad then signed him directly as a replacement for Shamar Joseph. He is no stranger to the tournament either. Across three PSL seasons, he has taken 21 wickets in 15 matches and was part of Karachi Kings’ title-winning campaign in 2023-24, claiming six wickets in five games that season.

What makes the Kolkata move especially notable is that Muzarabani is still waiting for his IPL debut. He was with Royal Challengers Bengaluru last season after being brought in as a replacement for South African quick Lungi Ngidi, but he did not make an appearance. Before that, he spent time with Lucknow Super Giants as a net bowler in 2022.

This time, the opportunity may be more real. Muzarabani came through the recent T20 World Cup with a reputation enhanced. He took 13 wickets in six matches, finishing second on the wicket-takers’ list. His role in Zimbabwe’s wins over Australia and Sri Lanka stood out, and he was later included in the tournament’s team of the competition.

The scheduling only adds another layer to the decision. The PSL is due to begin on March 26, while the IPL starts two days later, meaning the two leagues will again run side by side for a second straight year.

That overlap caused controversy last season too, when South African pace-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch left the PSL for the IPL after Mumbai Indians signed him from Peshawar Zalmi. PSL authorities responded by banning Bosch for one season. Whether Muzarabani will face similar consequences is still unclear.

For Kolkata, though, the immediate calculation is straightforward. They have turned to a fast bowler in form, one who now carries both momentum and expectation into a squad still adjusting after one of the most debated selection reversals of the season.