IPL 2022: Blessing Muzarabani set to join Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming season

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani seems set to make his first appearance in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He will be joining the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) either as Mark Wood’s replacement or as a net bowler. There is no official confirmation yet, but it is certain that he will be soon reaching India to join the Lucknow franchise.

The official Twitter handle of Indian Ambassador in Zimbabwe confirmed the news of the pace bowler leaving for India for the cash-rich league. It remains to be seen if Muzarabani is indeed a replacement, or he is joining as a net bowler.

“Ambassador met with Mr Blessing Muzarabani, the Zimbabwean bowler, as he prepared to leave for #IPL2022. Ambassador wished him & his team #LucknowSuperGiants the very best,” the tweet read.

Ambassador met with Mr Blessing Muzarabani, the Zimbabwean bowler, as he prepared to leave for #IPL2022.

Ambassador wished him & his team #LucknowSuperGiants the very best. #IndiaAt75 @IndianDiplomacy @MEAIndia @iccr_hq pic.twitter.com/8AMPO9Xbyd

— India in Zimbabwe (@IndiainZimbabwe) March 21, 2022

BCB didn’t allow Taskin Ahmed to play in the IPL 2022

LSG earlier had approached Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed to replace Mark Wood in their line-up. But the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) didn’t allow Taskin given that the team’s South Africa tour is currently in progress. He is part of the ongoing ODI series and will play in the Test series against the Proteas as well. Moreover, with the home series against India coming up, the BCB didn’t give him the NoC for the IPL 2022.

Potential big news on the horizon: I’m told that Blessing Muzarabani looks set to replace injured Mark Wood at Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming IPL.

If the deal goes through Blessing will be the first Zimbabwean since 2014 to play in the premier T20 tournament. pic.twitter.com/oRm3O61X9d

— Adam Theo🇿🇼🏏 #RegisterToVote (@AdamTheofilatos) March 21, 2022

“Since we have two important series like the ongoing home tour of South Africa and the home series against Sri Lanka, we feel it won’t be right for him to take part in the IPL. We have spoken with Taskin and he has understood the whole situation. He informed the franchise that he is not playing the IPL and will be available for the South Africa tour and later will return back home,” BCB cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus said while speaking to media.