Zimbabwe appeared set to improve their 1-10 record against the former world champions when they bowled out Pakistan for a modest 187 and then reached 39 for no loss by the ninth over.
But a mixture of poor batting and reckless running between the wickets saw Zimbabwe collapse to 94 all out off just 31.4 overs -- their lowest one-day score.
Four batsmen were run out attempting needless singles, while the top order were guilty of throwing away their wickets against sustained pressure from Wasim Akram's potent bowling force.
Opener Craig Wishart ran himself out in going for a risky second run after hitting a six earlier in the over, while skipper Alistair Campbell gave off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq an easy return catch in trying to score a third successive boundary.
Only former captain Andy Flower showed an inclination to stay at the wicket, remaining unbeaten on 21 off 62 balls as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.
Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed took two for 20 from seven overs, while the other four bowlers shared a wicket each during Zimbabwe's suicidal batting display.
It was Pakistan's first win in the three-nation tournament following their 19-run loss to world champions Sri Lanka on Friday.
Zimbabwe, who lost their opening match to Sri Lanka, face the tough task of winning both return games in the second leg of the preliminary league to stay in the hunt for the April 11 final.
Campbell admitted after the match that his batsmen let the side down.
``It's not everyday a team bowls out Pakistan for under 200, but we just did not apply ourselves at the crease.
``It was very disappointing, but I am hoping for an improved performance in our two remaining matches,'' he said.
A delighted Akram attributed the win to fine team work and good fielding.
``Pakistan has always done well under pressure and today was further proof of that. We fought all the way.
``The disappointment of losing to Sri Lanka is behind us and hopefully we will beat them a second time around on Monday,'' he said.
Zimbabwe's previous lowest total was 99 against the West Indies during the Hero Cup tournament in India in 1993.
The defeat undid the good work of the Zimbabwe bowlers who shot out Pakistan for a modest 187 after Akram won the toss and elected to bat.
The Zimbabweans rode on leg spinner Paul Strang's economical one for 29 from 10 overs to run through the innings.
As Strang bottled up one end, the Pakistanis gifted their wickets in trying to force the pace on a slow pitch.
Unheralded seamer Everton Matambanadzo ruined Pakistan's start by removing Shahid Afridi and Ijaz Ahmed in the space of five balls to make it nine for two by the fourth over.
Pakistan slipped to 67 for four by the 22nd over when the experienced duo of Rameez Raja (20) and Salim Malik (33) also departed in quick succession.
Man of the match Inzamam-ul Haq, whose 46 included two consecutive sixes off Andrew Whittall, and young Muhammad Wasim (27) put on 71 for the fifth wicket, before Guy Whittall removed both batsmen in the 39th over.
Fast bowler Heath Streak then chipped in with the wickets of Moin Khan and skipper Wasim Akram in the 44th over.
Waqar Younis was run out off the final delivery to leave Zimbabwe facing a victory target of 3.76 runs an over.