RCB rope in Muzarabani as temporary replacement for Ngidi

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani as a temporary replacement for Lungi Ngidi, who will leave the Indian Premier League (IPL) by May 26 to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's.

Muzarabani, who is uncapped in IPL, has been signed for INR 75 lakh. He has previously been part of the IPL setup as a net bowler for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 2022 season. He is in Zimbabwe's Test squad for the four-day rubber against England in Nottingham, starting May 22.

Ngidi will be available for RCB's upcoming league fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on May 23. RCB's next league fixture is on May 27 in Lucknow.

Josh Hazlewood, the preferred overseas pick, is currently recovering from a shoulder niggle in Australia but is expected to link up with the RCB squad ahead of the playoffs. Hazlewood is also set to feature in the WTC final which starts on June 11.

While RCB have qualified, the final two league matches carry a lot of weight. If they win one and lose one, both Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings can go past their points tally, denying them a top-two finish.

Muzarabani, a tall hit-the-deck pacer in the mould of Hazlewood and Ngidi, has represented Zimbabwe in 12 Tests, 55 ODIs and 70 T20Is. He picked nine wickets in the recent Sylhet Test against Bangladesh and was named Player of the Match. He has also featured in franchise leagues, playing for Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Gulf Giants in the ILT20, and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).