Muzarabani signs for Indian Premier League side; ahead of England Test he says ‘100 Test wickets would be really special’

By Agencies

Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the final stages of the Indian Premier League.

Muzarabani, 28, will replace South Africa bowler Lungi Ngidi, who will depart the IPL for the Proteas’ build-up to the World Test Championship final.

The IPL said the replacement is effective from 26 May – the day before RCB’s final match of the league phase against Lucknow Super Giants.

“Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have picked Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement for Lungisani Ngidi, who will leave to join South Africa for national duties,” IPL stated in a press release.

“The replacement will be effective from May 26, 2025,” it added further.

Muzarabani is in the squad for Zimbabwe’s four-day Test against England this week, which is scheduled to conclude on 25 May at Trent Bridge.

A tall fast bowler, the Zimbabwean has never previously played in the IPL but has been a net bowler at the T20 tournament.

He has played in the Caribbean Premier League and the Pakistan Super League and has 127 wickets in 118 T20s with an economy rate of 7.24.

Meanwhile, speaking ahead of his side’s one-off Test match against England, Muzarabani admitted that taking 100 Test wickets “would be really special.”

“Yes, that’s a great thing,” he said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.

“Because I feel like Test wickets are really hard to get, actually, so getting 100 wickets is a big achievement for any fast bowler. That would be really special.

“I’m working through my processes and everything that happens, of course, we work hard to make sure those things happen. But, as well, I’m not really looking at wickets.”

In 12 Tests, Muzarabani has taken 51 wickets at an average of 21.84, with best figures of 7/58.

In 2025 itself, he has taken 26 wickets at an average of 18.61. In first three matches, he secured figures of 6 for 95 (against Afghanistan in Bulawayo), 7 for 58 (against Ireland in Bulawayo) and 6 for 73 (against Bangladesh in Sylhet), making him the first pacer since West Indies legend Malcolm Marshall in 1988 to take six-plus wicket hauls in three successive Tests.

The only other pacers to achieve this feat are Pakistan’s Imran Khan and, in the 19th century, George Lohmann and Tom Richardson.

Muzarabani is already the eighth-highest wicket-taker for Zimbabwe in Tests. With seven more Tests still to go, he could catch up with Ray Price (80 scalps) and end behind legendary Heath Streak (216 wickets). He would be only the second player from his country to reach the 100-wicket mark if he accomplishes it.

Contributing to his team’s win, which he has been able to do only twice so far, remains the pacer’s top priority as he said, “That is something that I would really love to do, to make that impact for the team, get those big wickets, so we can win more often.

“This is a big journey, playing against big teams. But, of course, I cannot be worried about what I am going to do, thinking too much about it. The goal is just to win more games.”

Wickets have come in a flood since his return to playing Test cricket for the first time in three years in mid-2024.

No Zimbabwean who has taken 10 wickets can get close to Muzarabani’s career average (21.84) and strike rate (43.70), not even Streak.

For his recent success, he credits the work put in with Zimbabwe’s bowling coach, former South Africa international Charl Langeveldt.

“I’m really just enjoying my Test cricket. Working with my bowling coach, it’s about understanding the lengths to bowl in Test cricket,” he explained.

“I feel like the more I play, the more I understand how I get my wickets. [Langeveldt] is the guy who has been working with me on my lengths and all the skills that I’m trying to use. He’s been really helpful in the things he’s saying.”