Harris, who hit a sizzling unbeaten 37 off 22 balls, and debutant Alex Tait lifted New Zealand from the brink of defeat to post a remarkable five-wicket win.
New Zealand, chasing Zimbabwe's 258-7, were hopelessly placed at 219 for five in the 47th over when the sixth-wicket pair of Harris and Tait turned the match around with a unbeaten 44-run stand. They took 18 off seamer Neil Johnson's 48th over and another eight in the next off Heath Streak to leave New Zealand needing 14 runs in the final over.
Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, who scored a century earlier in the day, deliberated with his team-mates before entrusting newcomer Johnson with the last six deliveries.
Johnson, who qualified for Zimbabwe last month after migrating from South Africa, did his team's chances no good by bowling a no ball first up which gave two runs to their rivals.
Harris and Tait took nine runs off the next five deliveries, before left-hander Harris drove the final ball to the cover fence to signal New Zealand's heart-stopping win.
New Zealand's 13th win in 17 one-dayers against Zimbabwe set up a tough quarter-final clash against World Cup champions Sri Lanka on Monday in the knock-out tournament featuring the nine Test-playing nations.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will undertake a tiring journey home after just one match, dumbfounded by the turn of events when victory appeared to be in their grasp.
Zimbabwe did well to restrict New Zealand early in the innings despite a stubborn 96 from captain Stephen Fleming and his fourth-wicket stand of 125 with Adam Parore (52).
The pair failed to force the pace and by the time Fleming fell in the 45th over, bowled by Andrew Whittall, New Zealand were still 54 runs away from victory.
The unexpected reverse stunned Campbell, who led from the front with a brilliant innings of 100, his third one-day century. "It was sudden, I can't get over the shock," Campbell said, but refused to blame the 19-year-old Johnson for the defeat.
"It can happen to any bowler, and this was only the first international for Neil. I am sure he will come out stronger after this."
New Zealand, beaten in two of their three day-night internationals against Zimbabwe, lost openers Matt Bell and Nathan Astle by the 11th over with the score at 31.
Craig McMillan, who put on 49 for the third wicket with Fleming, was unlucky to be declared caught behind by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor when he played defensively to a sharp leg spinner from Paul Strang. Television replays showed the ball miss the outside edge of the bat, but McMillan earned little sympathy from 20,000 fans as he stood his ground before walking off in a huff.
Fleming and Parore struggled to quicken the pace against some spirited Zimbabwe bowling, but the advent of Harris and Tait brought about a dramatic revival.
In Zimbabwe's innings, Campbell received valuable support from the experienced Andy Flower, who made 77 in a 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The pair built on a flying start of 93-3 by the 15th over to remain together till the 43rd when Flower was snapped up at short cover off Astle.
England and South Africa, the two under-strength sides in the competition,
clash on Sunday for a place in the semi-finals. England, led by Adam Hollioake, are missing players from Alec Stewart's
Ashes squad currently touring Australia. South Africa are without their
two frontline fast bowlers Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock, both injured,
and prolific opener Gary Kirsten.
Date-stamped : 24 Oct1998 - 22:35