Zimbabwe surprised T20 world champions India, beating them by 13 runs in the opening match of a five-match series in the short white-ball format.
However, it was a second-class touring team, as the winning team of the T20 World Cup was still adorned with winner’s wreaths in India after its triumph in Barbados.
Sikandar Raza took 3-25 for his young team, which bowled and fielded with great energy in Harare.
Tendai Chatara took 3-16 while Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani took one each as India were bowled out for 102 runs in 19.5 overs.
This came after Zimbabwe scored 5-115 in 20 overs, although wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi scored 4-13 in four overs and Sundar Washington 2-11.
Clive Madande top-scored with 29 from 25 balls to take the score to over 100. Dion Myers (23), Brian Bennett (22) and Wessly Madhevere (21) also scored twenties.
It was the lowest defended T20 total in Harare as India’s 12-match winning streak came to an end.
Chasing a low total, India ran into trouble early on as the leaders failed to get going.
Debutant Abhishen Sharma did not bowl and conceded four runs, while Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed by Muzarabani for 7 runs.
Riyan Parag, another debutant, was out for two while the hard-hitting Rinku Singh was out for two balls. Both fell to Chatara in the fifth over and India fell to 4-22.
Captain Shubman Gill scored 31 to halt the collapse, but Raza bowled him in the 11th over, leaving India 6-47.
Sundar Washington (27 off 34 balls) commanded the lower orders, but the asking rate continued to rise as Raza took two more wickets.
The captain of Zimbabwe was named player of the match.
“I’m very happy with this win and we have to take this series game by game,” said Raza. “Our catching and fielding was great, but there is still room for improvement. The fans also carried us along with their energy.”