The eventful match, which fittingly climaxed in the finale, was settled in the final delivery with Chris Harris hitting the winning runs for New Zealand, an exquisite drive over extra-cover for four, leaving the Zimbabweans in depths of despair.
Chris Harris scored a whirlwind unbeaten 32 off only 22 balls as New Zealand, chasing a fighting Zimbabwe total of 258 seven in the stipulated 50 overs, reached 260 for five in the final delivery of the match.
With this win New Zealand set up a quarterfinal clash with World champions Sri Lanka tomorrow.
The ding-dong battle was very much in the hands of tournament underdogs Zimbabwe when the Kiwis were left with a well-neigh impossible target of scoring 40 runs from the last 18 deliveries. But the face of the game changed rapidly when Harris started a terrific assault much to the delight of a nearly 15,000 audience at the big bowl.
The seasoned all-rounder clobbered 18 runs from the 48th over that included three consecutive boundaries against Neil Johnson. Harris then pulled Heath Streak over mid-wicket for four in the penultimate over, which yielded 10 runs. But it was still, a long way to go when New Zealand were left with the tough proposition of scoring 14 runs from the final six deliveries.
With the pressure mounting on both sides, things were however made easier for New Zealand by an unimaginative Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell, who in a stunning move handed the ball to Johnson. The rookie right-arm seamer after being delivered the first ball was called Ôno' by umpire Peter Willey. Harris, who was on strike, pushed for a sharp single, and according to the latest playing condition New Zealand
were awarded with two runs, leaving the equation at 12 runs from six deliveries.
Campbell, who was only to be blamed for handing over the victory on a silver plate, then haplessly watched a miss-hit from Petit race down the vacant third man region for four. The Zimbabwe captain was supposed to seal the country in the last three overs to save the fours. Instead, he set his men in such a way that left a lot of holes for Harris, who with all his experience exploited the gaps to snatch a exciting win. New Zealand needed three from the final delivery when Harris ended the chase in a fitting way. He ran towards the festive dressing room wielding his willow in the air in a manner of a general winning a battle. The defeat for Zimbabwe means a trip back home.
Apart from Harris' late heroics, in which he scored an unbeaten 37 off only 20 balls studded with half a dozen fours, the match was also marked by some quality batsmanship and excellent fielding.
Skipper Stephen Fleming laid the foundation of his side's victory with a composed 96 off 129 balls, which earned him the man of the match award. The talented left-hander put on 125 runs for the fourth wicket with wicketkeeper Adam Parore, who scored a brilliant 52. Fleming missed the magical three-figure mark, when trying to accelerate things, he went for a big hit but was outfoxed by offie Andrew Whittall.
Earlier, the Zimbabwean total was built around a dazzling century from captain Alistair Campbell. The left-handed stroke-maker, who won the toss in the afternoon and elected to bat first, more than justified his decision with a brilliant 100. It was the first one-day ton for the left-handed opener, whose pervious highest score was 77 against the same side at Harare last year.
Campbell, who took the toothless New Zealand bowlers to the sword right from the word go, gave his side an explosive start. Zimbabwe reached 50 in only 6.3 overs; their 100 coming in 17.3 overs.
Campbell completed his 50 off only 43 balls, which included seven fours. He shared 65 runs for the second wicket with Johnson, who chipped in with a run-a-ball 27. But Johnson, who made his debut yesterday, will certainly try to forget the nightmarish first one-day appearance and his last over of the match.
But the most enterprising part of the New Zealand innings was a 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Campbell and Andy Flower, who scored a swashbuckling 77 off 80 balls. The southpaw hammered eight fours and a huge sixer over mid-off in his flawless innings. For his maiden ton Campbell owes a lot to Nathan Astle, who dropped a straight-forward catch at cover when Campbell was on 66.