Zimbabwe stun Windies in Harare

First one-day international, Harare: Zimbabwe 274-8 (50 overs) beat West Indies 244-8 (50 overs) by 31 runs

Zimbabwe beat major opposition for the first time since revoking Test status, overcoming West Indies by 31 runs in the opening one-day match in Harare.

Elton Chigumbura took two early wickets to reduce the Caribbean team to 22-2 in the seventh over of their reply.

Even though Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit an unbeaten 127 it was not enough to help put the Windies back on track.

Asked to bat first, the hosts racked up 274-8, with Chamu Chibhabha hitting a career-best 73 from 85 balls.

Zimbabwe's cricket board decided to give up Test status in January 2006 after a group of senior players quit in protest at the way the game was run, leaving the side too inexperienced to play leading sides.

Several of those players, including former captain Tatenda Taibu and veteran spinner Ray Price, who spent the last two years in county cricket with Worcestershire, have since returned.

Zimbabwe have beaten Bangladesh four times on two tours in 2006 and '07 but have not beaten any other Test-playing side since stepping back from top level cricket.

Source: BBC Sport