TIMYCEN Maruma displayed maturity and composure in his unbeaten 57 off 54 balls that spurred Takashinga Cricket Club to a nervy three-wicket victory over Uganda XI at the Lugogo Oval yesterday.

Takashinga, 113-7, reached home in 32 overs after their bowlers had done an exceptional job of bundling out Uganda for 110 in 32,4 overs.

Despite it being anxious triumph, Takashinga got off to a winning start at the 2016 Uganda Quadrangular tournament which also involves Kenya XI and Uganda Select.

But yesterday, Takashinga’s victory began at the toss after captain Roy Kaia called correctly and opted to bowl with the smart aim of utilising a pitch that retained a lot of moisture from Saturday’s downpour.

“I think it was a good toss to win because the wicket played a lot in the morning and the bowlers did bowl very well to start with,” Maruma said.

Left arm seamer Richard Ngarava (3-13) took advantage of the pitch condition and got Uganda panicking before off spinner Tapiwa Mufudza (4-19) complemented the efforts alongside Blessing Muzarabani (2-25) and Shingi Masakadza’s solo scalp.

“I just want to give credit to the bowlers for bowling well though the wicket was assisting and it was difficult to bat in the morning so we took advantage of the morning conditions.”

What looked to be an easily achievable target of 111 ended up making Takashinga bite their nails after Uganda XI spinners tightened screws and almost turned the game on its head.

Apart from Maruma sticking it up, Takashinga’s top and middle order didn’t fire with Innocent Kaia (four), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (14), Charles Kunje (one), Roy Kaia, Forster Mutizwa (both six), Wellington Masakadza (eight) and Shingi Masakadza (seven) being the wickets to fall.

Maruma added: “When we came to bat in the afternoon I just thought there were too many soft dismissals. Guys didn’t stick there, guys were just getting out; no one looked like they wanted to apply themselves.

“When I saw guys getting out I just said to myself ‘I just have to be here till the end’ because I know if I was there till the end we would win the game which we did.”

Ugandans Frank Nsubuga (3-34) and Henry Senyondo (2-29) applied the ‘choke and strangle’ which almost paid off.

Maruma, seven fours and a six, got to his match saving and winning half century with boundary before hitting the winning runs with a maximum over the mid-wicket.

Meanwhile, Takashinga only had overnight to think about their processes and get prepared for their second match against Kenya XI at the same venue today.

Maruma has called upon his peers to put their best for forward and deliver the goods for Takashinga and Zimbabwe at large.

“It’s good we started on a winning note. We just got to carry on with this momentum to the next game.

“Once you win the confidence will go high so I am sure everyone will come tomorrow (today) with their heads high though we should have got this (yesterday’s) total without losing many wickets. But I am sure just having a win in our bag will boost the guys’ confidence,” he said.

Match summary

Uganda XI 110 in 34,2 overs (Lawrence Sematimba 30; Tapiwa Mufudza 4-19, Richard Ngarava 3-13)

Takashinga 113-7 in 32 over (Timycen Maruma 57*; Frank Nsubuga 3-34, Henry Senyondo 2-29)