Star Zimbabwe bowler roped in as replacement of Shamar Joseph by Islamabad United for PSL 2026

Star Zimbabwe bowler has been signed by Islamabad United for the PSL 2026 as a replacement for the Caribbean fast bowler Shamar Joseph.

PSL 2026: Blessing Muzarabani joins Islamabad United as replacement

The 29-year-old Zimbabwe right-arm fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani has been signed for Islamabad United as a replacement for Shamar Joseph. 

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Why did Islamabad United release Shamar Joseph?

Islamabad United bought the 26-year-old Caribbean fast bowler Shamar Joseph for PKR 1.10 crore in the latest PKL auction. However, since then, the franchise has faced huge backlash through social media for picking up the controversial Caribbean fast bowler. 

In June 2025, the 2024 Gabba Test hero Shamar Joseph was accused of rape by 11 women, including a teen cousin. Due to this accusation, Islamabad United have faced massive backlash for selecting him for the upcoming PSL 2026. 

In the heat moment, Islamabad United have updated the squad by dropping the controversial Caribbean fast bowler. Meanwhile, Blessing Muzarabani has joined the PSL team as a replacement.

Blessing Muzarabani is currently trending for his brilliant match-winning bowling performance against Australia, as Zimbabwe beat Australia by 23 runs in their Group B meeting in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 last Friday (February 13), where he also became the third Zimbabwe bowler to complete 100 T20I wickets. 

Islamabad United are the joint leading PSL title holders by winning it three times in 2016, 2018, and 2024. Playing as the defending champions, they reached the Eliminator 2 last season, where they suffered a 95-run defeat against Lahore Qalandars.