Sean Williams top scored with 70 as Zimbabwe secured a six-wicket victory in their first one-day international against Afghanistan in Bulawayo on Friday.
After the hosts won the toss and elected to field, their opponents lost Usman Ghani for a duck without a run on the board and experienced further difficulties from there, Noor Ali Zadran's dismissal for 43 leaving them on 99 for four.
Some stability was brought about as Samiullah Shenwari, who hit an unbeaten 65, and a half-century from captain Mohammad Nabi as they put on 73 runs for the fifth wicket.
Only a further 49 runs were then added to finish 223 for nine, Donald Tiripano and Tendai Chatara having taken two scalps apiece.
Zimbabwe lost a couple of early wickets in reply and Sikandar Raza, having accrued 38, had to retired hurt in the 22nd over.
But the home side had other run-makers to call on and a 43 from skipper Brendan Taylor, Williams' knock and an unbeaten 39 from Elton Chigumbura helped them get to their target in the 46th over.