BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
RETURNING Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani believes he has come back a “better player” after his two-year stint in English county cricket with Northamptonshire.
The 24-year-old speedster from Highfield, Harare, was already widely touted as one of the country’s brightest prospects when he left the country to take up a Kolpak contract in England, which meant he became ineligible to represent the Chevrons in international cricket.
Muzarabani took 17 wickets at 27.47 in seven first-class appearances for Northants, as well as a further seven in white-ball cricket, and had a year to run on his contract.
However, the UK’s impending exit from the European Union means that the Kolpak status will be scrapped for the 2021 season, which paved the way for his return to the Zimbabwe side for the upcoming tour to Pakistan.
After consistently playing with and against some of the best cricketers in the world in challenging English conditions during his time with Northants, Muzarabani reckons he is now better equipped for the rigours of international cricket.
“The experience in county cricket was really challenging, really tough and different and I believe I’ve learnt so much over the last two years,” Muzarabani told Standardsport in an exclusive interview yesterday.
“The wickets there are really different compared to the Zimbabwean wickets, so it helped me to become more consistent, especially when bowling full and controlling the swing and all those kind of things. It also helped me to know a lot of things about my body and my game, so I believe I’m a better player now, but I’m going to keep on working hard and hopefully I will perform to the best of my abilities.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Muzarabani had played one Test, 18 one-day international (ODI) matches and six Twenty20 internationals for Zimbabwe when he decided to put his international career on hold.
His return comes as a big boost for Zimbabwe, who are currently without experienced seamer Kyle Jarvis ahead of the trip to Pakistan due to a stress fracture injury.
Muzarabani said he had settled well with the team, which is currently in a “bio-secure bubble” ahead of their departure for Pakistan tomorrow and hopes to put on a good show when they play there.
“It feels so good to be back and playing with the guys again and representing my country. It really feels good and I’m really excited about this upcoming tour. As for my expectations, there’s no pressure or anything like that, I just want to go there to perform and enjoy the game. I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I will be able to put on a good show for my country,” he said.
The Zimbabwe team is scheduled to take on the hosts in three ODIs and as many Twenty20 matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore starting on October 30. The ODI series will be part of the International Cricket Council ODI Super League to be played on October 30, November 1 and 3, while the T20I series will take place on November 7, 8 and 10 respectively.
