Blessing Muzarabani

Blessing Muzarabani is a 6ft 10in fast bowler hailing from Highfield, Harare in Zimbabwe. Having flown under the radar for most of his youth career, Blessing was part of the Zimbabwe Academy side that toured England in 2017 under Tatenda Taibu’s watch. Having missed out on Zimbabwe U19 selection, the academy tour was a chance for him to show those in charge that he had the skills to play on the big stage and that his raw ability simply needed the right coaching.

A superb performance from him against Derbyshire 2nd XI, 36 (31) & 3-41 (16) saw him make his first class debut on return to Zimbabwe for the Rising Stars Franchise and after only 5 First Class games, he was drafted into the test side by then-coach, Heath Streak. He would make his Test debut against South Africa in what would be his only Test as Zimbabwe were all out twice following on.

Blessing would go on to be a regular in the National team throughout the World Cup qualifiers and various T20 tours in 2018 before making a decision to accept an offer of a Kolpak contract from Northamptonshire CCC from 2019 onwards. A big call to make but securing not only his financial future but access to the well drilled and backed systems of County Cricket provided an opportunity to develop his game in an outstanding professional environment.

Blessing made his County Championship debut in April 2019 against Glamorgan, picking up Marnus Labuschagne as his first county wicket, leaving us with mixed emotions as one client knocks over another, albeit Marnus was on 123. When just starting to hit his straps with the white ball in the Royal London 50-0ver competition, Blessing picked up a niggle that kept him from much of the middle part of the season including most of the T20 but he was back fully fit and raring to go for a massive 2020, then COVID happened.

With some decisions to make with Kolpak coming to an end, Blessing made the decision to return to Zimbabwe at the conclusion of the 2020 English season. He slotted straight back into the Zimbabwe International squad and was selected to tour Pakistan for ODI & T20I matches in October 2020. His form in Rawalpindi was sensational, picking up 13 wickets in 6 games including a Man of the match performance in the 3rd ODI, collecting 5-49 after 10 overs and 2-2 in the super over to seal an excellent win for Zimbabwe.

In 2021, Blessing was drafted in to join Multan Sultans for the resumption of the Pakistan Super League, playing an integral part in their climb from the bottom of the ladder to PSL Champions.