Zimbabwe pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani is set to join IPL debutants Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for the upcoming season.

The 25-year-old pacer has played six Tests, 30 ODIs and 21 T20 International matches for his national team.

IPL 2022: Blessing Muzarabani to join Lucknow Super Giants

There is no official hearings from either IPL or the franchise but it can be understood that Muzarabani will be the replacement for England pacer Mark Wood, who suffered an elbow injury in the first Test between West Indies and England in Antigua.

On late Monday night, the Indian embassy in Zimbabwe uploaded a picture of the ambassador with Muzarabani and mentioned that the Zimbabwe national player is leaving for India to play for Lucknow Super Giants.

“Ambassador met with Mr Blessing Muzarabani, the Zimbabwean bowler, as he prepared to leave for #IPL2022. Ambassador wished him & his team #LucknowSuperGiants the very best,” India in Zimbabwe tweeted. 

Ambassador met with Mr Blessing Muzarabani, the Zimbabwean bowler, as he prepared to leave for #IPL2022.

Ambassador wished him & his team #LucknowSuperGiants the very best. #IndiaAt75 @IndianDiplomacy @MEAIndia @iccr_hq pic.twitter.com/8AMPO9Xbyd

— India in Zimbabwe (@IndiainZimbabwe) March 21, 2022

Blessing Muzarabani to become first Zimbabwe player to feature in IPL after eight years

Muzurbani, who has picked 25 wickets from 21 T20 International fixtures at an economy rate of 8, can become the first Zimbabwe player to play in the IPL after a span of eight years.

Former Zimbabwe player Brendan Taylor was part of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s squad in IPL 2014 but never played a single match for the Orange Army. He was subsequently released ahead of IPL 2015.

Ray Price (Mumbai Indians) and Tatenda Taibu (Kolkata Knight Riders) are the other Zimbabwe players who have participated in the IPL.

Earlier reports had suggested that LSG would sign Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed as Wood’s replacement but the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to issue a No-Objection Certificate because of national commitments.

Lucknow Super Giants will be led by Indian opener KL Rahul who has the experience of leading Pubjab Kings for the last two seasons in the cash-rich league.

LSG will play its first match against fellow debutant Gujarat Titans on March 28 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

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