An unbeaten 76 from Sean Williams edged Zimbabwe to a tense four-wicket win over United Arab Emirates in the latest Pool B game at the World Cup.
Zimbabwe had slipped to 167 for five in reply to a competitive total of 285 for seven posted by UAE, but a partnership of 83 between Williams and Craig Ervine saw them to the brink of victory at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.
UAE had been close to a maiden World Cup victory after recovering from a sticky start themselves after being put in to bat.
Amjad Ali and Andri Berenger made an uncertain start, and could have each been dismissed before they were. As it was, the two openers were both back in the shed with just 40 runs on the board and a one-sided contest appeared inevitable.
However, the experienced pairing of Krishna Chandran and Khurram Khan stabilised the innings, putting on 82 for the third wicket to put UAE in an encouraging position.
Once 43-year-old Khurram was dismissed for a fluent 45, it looked as though the innings might once again stall, but Shaiman Anwar, who handles loads on cargo flights, took advantage of the batting powerplay to record an impressive half-century from just 37 balls.
Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura had had an impressive day in the field, with Solomon Mire and Tendai Chatara each making an instant impact when brought back into the attack, but he lost control as the UAE batsmen accelerated at the end of the innings.
Mohammad Naveed and Amjad Javed added 53 inside the last six overs to give UAE the momentum going into the second innings as they finished on 285 for seven.
Regis Chakabva was looking composed in the middle during #ZimvUAE. WATCH what happened next... http://t.co/SkWGncTTgqpic.twitter.com/5kBCAQzx7v
— ICC (@ICC) February 19, 2015
Despite impressive bowling from Naveed and Javed, Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva made a good start to the reply, although both failed to capitalise after getting in and the dangerous Hamilton Masakadza fell cheaply as the innings wobbled.
Chakabva was out when he slipped on to his own wicket, but Brendan Taylor looked to have the game under control before he was dismissed short of a half-century.
Mire also fell cheaply to leave Zimbabwe on the verge of a damaging defeat, but Williams added to his earlier spell of 2-43 with a calm knock of 76 to see Zimbabwe home.
Ervine helped alleviate the pressure with a powerful 42 from number seven before Chigumbura finished things off as Zimbabwe recorded their highest World Cup run-chase.