Kiwi bowlers Nathan McCullum took 3-5 and Scott Styris 3-16 to dismiss Zimbabwe for 84 in 15.1 overs at Providence Stadium, the African team losing its last nine wickets for 26 runs. With bad weather around, New Zealand made sure it was up with the Duckworth/Lewis target and was seven runs ahead at 36-1 off 8.1 overs when showers arrived. Skies cleared later but there was not enough time to allow a restart. New Zealand opener Brendan McCullum hit an unbeaten 22 off 26 balls, becoming the first player to reach 1,000 international Twenty20 runs in the process.
Earlier, Zimbabwe was given a rousing start by openers Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza after being sent in. Taibu lashed three fours in 21 off 14 balls before he slapped a short ball from Tim Southee straight to square leg.
Masakadza compiled 20 off 20 deliveries before his run out dismissal started the collapse. The burly right-hander was a foot short when Jacob Oram's brilliant pickup and flat throw from deep midwicket beat his scramble for a second run.
Andy Blignaut was bowled around his legs by Daniel Vettori before Nathan McCullum claimed three wickets in one over.
Elton Chigumbura miscued to long-on, Craig Ervine was beaten by a sharp turner and stumped, while Craig Coventry chipped back a return catch. Greg Lamb, who scored an unbeaten 14 off 21 balls, helped stall the New Zealanders. But Styris also picked up three wickets in one over to halt any hopes of a fightback.
Timycen Maruma holed out to long-on, Graeme Cremer was beaten through the gate and bowled, while Prosper Utseya was trapped leg before. Vettori ended the innings by bowling last man Ray Price on his way to figures of 2-10.
"We fought back well in the middle stages with Nathan and Scott Styris," said New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who won the toss and fielded.
"We knew it would be a difficult track to bat with Zimbabwe having so many spinners and we did well to come back in the middle overs."
"It is disappointing," said Zimbabwe captain Prosper Utseya. "We had a good start but we didn't play well in the middle. There is potential no doubt. But some guys have to mature as cricketers."
