The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
TAPIWA Mufudza says he is ready for the big stage.
The right-arm off-spinner clocks a decade as a professional cricketer this year.
And this week he celebrates a month as a married man.
The 30-year-old is part of the Zimbabwe A squad preparing to host their South African counterparts for four One-Day games and two Four-Day matches this month.
A perennial Zimbabwe A player since 2016, Mufudza feels he has matured enough and is eager to earn the coveted international cap.
He was part of the Zimbabwe T20 squad that played Pakistan last month.
That was his second call-up after he was also included in the national team for the home series against India in 2016.
He is, however, yet to play.
“It was my second time; it felt good to be back in the system.
“I have been working towards getting that cap and it’s just a matter of time now.
“(My cricket journey has) been good man… (I have come) a long way.”
His focus is on South Africa A for now, and they have a strong team visiting Zimbabwe with experienced players like Andile Pehlukwayo, Theunis de Bryn, Zubayr Hamza, Junior Dala and Reeza Hendricks amongst other talented players.
“It’s another challenge and I am up for it,” said Mufudza, who made his Zimbabwe A debut in 2016.
In 2011, he was introduced to first-class cricket and is one of the bowlers with over 100 first-class wickets in Zimbabwe.
“I keep telling myself that I am good enough, and putting the work really helped me, and having the right people around me is helping me grow in my game.
“I don’t have anything to prove, really, but to enjoy doing what I have been doing all the while and it comes with the mindset.’’
He might be an experienced first-class cricketer now but he is a “newbie’’ in the married world.
When Zimbabwe beat Pakistan for the first time in T20 Internationals, it was double celebration for him, as he was getting married the following day.
Zimbabwe’s 19-run win at Harare Sports Club on April 23 was a fine performance by the Chevrons against a top Pakistan side.
The following day his lobola team was on the ground, as he married his sweetheart, Karen, in absentia due to his national team commitments.
“It had to be done, but I felt bad I was not part of it, but she understood that it was work.’’
As he prepares to play his first cricket match as a married man, “Bones’’, as his teammates prefer to call him, is excited.
“The feeling is amazing, having someone who supports you buy your side…it’s priceless.”
