The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Cricket did try to offer fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani an improved contract only for the player to decide on taking up a three-year deal with English county side, Northamptonshire.
On Thursday, ZC announced that the lanky pace bowler had made a decision to put his international cricket career on hold, instead choosing to pursue his career options in England. As a result, Muzarabani will not be available when Zimbabwe travel to South Africa for a limited overs series at the end of next month and when they head off to Bangladesh for Test matches in October.
The 21-year-old, who made his international debut in the only Test against South Africa in December last year, earned far way less as compared to the other national team players since he was on a rookie contract.
ZC chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani said they did try to offer him a better deal. The stumbling block, Mukuhlani indicated that it appears was the influence by former captain Tatenda Taibu who worked closely with the youngster at the Rising Stars Academy which went on tour to United Kingdom last year.
“We gave him a contract but it seems that he had made up his mind. Zimbabwe Cricket actually gave him a contract, it was sent to his agent but he turned it down. It seems there were other forces at play. He is our product, all we can do is wish him well,’’ Mukuhlani said.
He questioned the youngster’s wisdom in accepting a contract in England when the season in that country comes to an end next month when he could have played international cricket for Zimbabwe and still taken the up the agreement overseas.
Muzarabani has been playing club cricket in England and did turn out for Zimbabwe during the One Day International series against Pakistan in Bulawayo last month.
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