Zimbabwe's Champions Trophy aspirations have been dealt a crushing blow after the African nation succumbed to the West Indies by nine wickets in the tournament's qualifying stage.
Batting first, Zimbabwe struggled from the outset and looked set for a hard day at the office when only three players reached double figures..jpg)
Star West Indian batsman Chris Gayle was the unlikely hero with the ball as he took impressive figures of 3-3.
Zimbabwean skipper Prosper Utseya, meanwhile, defiantly held his side's innings together with a steely knock of 27.
But despite Utseya's best efforts, it was day for the West Indian bowling attack as Zimbabwe crumbled to be all out for 85 from 30.1 overs.
Set the fractional total for victory, the West Indies came out with all guns blazing and it was Gayle again who took centre-stage.
From 34 balls, the talented stroke-maker made light work of the Zimbabwean attack as he piled on 41 runs before being caught at mid-wicket by Tafadzwa Mufambisi.
However, the damage was already done and with the West Indies on 66, Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul quickly struck off the remaining runs with 35.4 overs to spare.
