TAKASHINGA 1 ended their NPL T20 Blast campaign with a nerve-shredding one-run win over Rimuka at Takashinga Cricket Club on Wednesday. But the victory came too late to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The win lifted Takashinga to six points from seven matches, with three wins and four defeats. Later in the afternoon, Old Hararians beat Mbizo to move to seven points and take the fourth and final playoff place. Takashinga finish fifth.
It was a fitting reminder of what this side can do. Rimuka are one of the tournament's leading teams, and they came into the match on top of the table.
Rimuka won the toss and chose to field. Takashinga were bowled out for 126 in 18.3 overs. Timycen Maruma led the recovery with a fighting 40 off 30 balls after the side slipped from 55/1 to 68/5. Gerald Olipa made 28 off 21, and Ronak Patel added 24 off 16.
Ryan Simbi then produced one of the spells of the tournament, taking 5/21 from four overs to follow his 4/25 against Old Hararians on Monday. Shelton Mazvitorera took 3/37. Captain Roy Kaia (4-0-17-0), Kundai Matigimu (4-0-18-0) and Tapiwa Mufudza (4-0-18-0) gave nothing away. Rimuka finished on 125/9, one run short.
Head coach Trevor Garwe and his players can take real positives from the campaign. Simbi has emerged as a genuine wicket-taker, and Patel and Kudzai Maunze have given the side fast starts at the top of the order. Olipa, who returns to Uganda on Saturday for the ICC Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abuja, has been a valuable addition. He top-scored with 63 against Gladiators.
The margins have been fine. Defeats to Old Hararians by one wicket off the final ball and to Gladiators by two wickets with two balls left were the difference between fifth place and a playoff spot.
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