The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 is already delivering surprises before a single ball has even been bowled. In a major squad shake-up, three-time champions Islamabad United have decided to part ways with West Indian speedster Shamar Joseph.
To fill the gap, the franchise is bringing in Zimbabwean tall seamer Blessing Muzarabani.
Islamabad United originally picked up Joseph for his base price of PKR 11 million during Friday’s auction. However, sources indicate that the contract was terminated by mutual consent. While Joseph is fit, United felt that Blessing Muzarabani would better bolster their pace attack.
The 29-year-old Zimbabwean is no stranger to the PSL; he was a key part of the title-winning squad in 2021. Although he struggled with consistency earlier this year, he recently silenced critics with a “Player of the Match” performance against Australia in the ongoing T20 World Cup, helping Zimbabwe inch closer to the Super 8s.
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United isn’t taking any chances with their bowling depth. Alongside Blessing Muzarabani, their specialist quicks include:
- Mohammad Hasnain and Salman Irshad
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Mir Hamza
- England’s Richard Gleeson
Muzarabani joins his countryman Sikandar Raza as the only Zimbabweans in the tournament. Raza notably hit the winning runs for Lahore Qalandars in last year’s final.
The upcoming season, kicking off on March 26, marks a new era for the league. Fans will see two brand-new teams: the Sialkot Stallionz and the Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen. Additionally, the Multan Sultans have transitioned to Rawalpindi under new ownership.
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With the final scheduled for May 3, Islamabad United is clearly signaling their intent to secure a record-breaking fourth title by prioritizing proven PSL experience.