Northants confirm Muzarabani Kolpak signing

Northamptonshire have confirmed the signing of Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani on a three-year Kolpak Deal.

Twenty-one year-old Muzarabani will arrive at the County Ground ahead of the 2019 English domestic season as a player who has been developing his game on the international stage.

All of his Twenty20 experience has been in the Zimbabwean national shirt, as have all-bar-one of his One Day matches, and he has one Test under his belt, too.

Muzarabani has been a regular in the Zimbabwe team throughout 2018. In March he secured his career-best 4-47 against Afghanistan in Harare a few days before holding his nerve in the final over to secure a memorable tie against Scotland, and he took 3-21 in a One-Day International against Australia in July.

A right-arm fast bowler who stands at two metres tall, Muzarabani has committed himself fully to the Northamptonshire cause. The three-year deal effectively puts his international career on hold.

“I’ve come here to chase my dreams,” he says. “I want to perform and achieve. I just can’t wait to get started.”

Northamptonshire’s head coach, David Ripley, says that he is looking forward to helping the youngster develop his game in England.

“We’ve been talking to Blessing for quite some time and have been impressed by the way he plays,” he said. “He’s got a lot to learn and he knows it, but we’re looking forward to helping him achieve his potential at the County Ground over the next few years.”