Sean Williams inspired Zimbabwe to their highest-ever World Cup chase as they surpassed a spirited effort from the United Arab Emirates in Nelson.
Williams' unbeaten 76, with seven fours and a six off 65 balls, took Zimbabwe home as they successfully hunted down 286 with 12 balls remaining, despite the UAE – who are Ireland’s next opponents on 25 February - posting their highest-ever one-day total at the Saxton Oval.
Shaiman Anwar's fine 50-ball 67, with nine boundaries and a maximum, helped the UAE break new ground by finishing on 285 for seven, but once Williams loosened up Zimbabwe's victory was scarcely in doubt.
He joined Craig Ervine (42) in a crucial stand of 83, just after some nerves began to creep in at 167 for five, and the 28-year-old fittingly capped off the win in style by hitting three successive fours.
Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to field first, confident their bowlers would have more success after South Africa set an unobtainable target of 340 in their opening World Cup defeat.
The UAE batsmen made an unsteady start, with Andri Berenger lucky to survive his first ball of the day as Brendan Taylor dropped what looked like a straight-forward catch behind.
Berenger made 22 runs off 36 balls before following Amjad Ali (seven) back to the hutch with the UAE on 40 for two after 10.5 overs.
With the fate of their innings finely poised Krishna Chandran and Khurram Khan combined in an impressive 82-run third-wicket stand.
Two bowling changes brought their knocks to an end, though, with Zimbabwe's Solomon Mire tempting Chandran (34) into a miscue and Khan's (45) attempted cut off Tendai Chatara being plucked out of the air emphatically by Williams to leave the UAE on 134 for four.
Number six Anwar anchored the UAE's middle order, joining Swapnil Patil (32) in the UAE's second 82-run partnership of the day.
After Rohan Mustafa (four) became Chatara's third victim, Anwar was finally picked off to leave the UAE on 232 for seven with just under six overs left.
Amjad Javed (25 not out) and Mohammad Naveed (23no) put on 53 between them to see out the allotted overs with the UAE ending on a record 285.
In reply, things began to look ominous for the UAE as Zimbabwe went to 61 without loss after 12 overs, but wickets soon began to fall as Zimbabwe reached 126 for three at the halfway point of their innings.
Sikandar Raza was the star of Zimbabwe's early scoring, hitting 46 runs off 44 balls with six fours and a maximum, before giving his wicket away cheaply to Mohammad Tauqir.
Hamilton Masakadza (one) and Regis Chakabva (35) were next to walk, before Taylor (47) was trapped lbw and Mire (nine) edged behind to leave Zimbabwe on 167 for five with just over 17 overs remaining.
Ervine and Williams alleviated any jitters with their sixth-wicket partnership, which saw Williams register his 18th one-day 50, before Ervine departed with Zimbabwe needing 36 off 42 balls.
Williams won the match in style with three consecutive boundaries in the 48th over to complete Zimbabwe's chase, with Elton Chigumbura (14 not out) offering support at the end.
