In a huge blow to Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), young pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani has decided to to take an indefinite break from international cricket. The 21-year-old cricketer has not cited any particular reason for his sudden exit.
As per several media reports, Muzarabani is expected to sign a deal with English county team, Northamptonshire. He had played a few games for the Division Two club's second XI, as well as featured in the Derbyshire's second XI.
"I wish my former team-mates and Zimbabwe Cricket all the very best for the future. I have been honoured to represent my country but feel this is an appropriate time for me to pursue other challenges both personally and professionally," Muzarabani said in a statement.
Muzarabani’s departure has fired a few warning shots to the ZC as well, which is going through an insecure administrative period. The board is currently facing a massive financial crunch and is being supported by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Muzarabani played many matches for Zimbabwe including one Test, 18 ODIs, and six T20Is. The latest match played was against Pakistan in July. On his test debut of the four-day Boxing Day Test in South Africa, Muzarabani had gone wicketless. Later in 2018, he played in an ODI tri-series that included Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, in T20s against Afghanistan in Sharjah, and in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Musarabani will now not be available for Zimbabwe's forthcoming tours of South Africa and Bangladesh in September and November respectively.