BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) has refused to give a no-objection certificate to pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani for him to participate in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 League in the United Arab Emirates.
The 25-year-old fast bowler was all set to compete against some of the world’s best cricketers in the Abdu Dhabi T10 League after being signed by the Northern Warriors during the competition’s player draft early this month.
The fifth season of the Abu Dhabi T10 League will be played at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium from November 19 to December 4 and Muzarabani was set to share the same changing room with the likes of England star Moeen Ali, Rovman Powell, Imran Tahira and Upul Tharanga amongst others.
This was set to be Muzarabani’s second high profile stint in franchise cricket abroad after enjoying an impressive debut season for Multan Sultans in their successful Pakistan Super League campaign.
However, Standardsport can exclusively reveal that Muzarabani has not been given permission by ZC to feature in the competition as it is set to clash with the domestic Pro 50 Championship competition which also begins on November 19.
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The local cricket governing body believes the Abu Dhabi T10 League will be of no significant value for Muzarabani’s development compared to the Pro 50 Championship which local players will use to prepare for Zimbabwe’s upcoming international engagements.
Muzarabani has missed the start of the ongoing Logan Cup competition as he is currently nursing an injury from Zimbabwe’s tours of Ireland and Scotland.
The Chevrons are currently not featuring in the ongoing T20 World Cup after missing the qualifiers due to a suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) over government interference in the administration of the sport.
According to the ICC’s Future Tour Programs (FTP) Zimbabwe is expected to return to action in November and December when they host Afghanistan for a lone Test along with three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Twenty20 Internationals.
Zimbabwe is also expected to host Ireland for one Test, five ODIs and three T20Is in April and May next year before hosting Bangladesh for two Test matches, three ODIs and as many T20Is in July and August next year.