Zimbabwe has comprehensively defeated Ireland by 156 runs in the opening ODI of the Kenya Tri-series in Nairobi.
In pursuit of 303, Ireland lost their first four wickets inside 14 overs and never had any realistic chance on winning the match despite a solid 38, which included three sixes from the in-form Kevin O'Brien.
Elton Chigumbura led the attack and finished with the figures of 2-18, while Prosper Utseya and Timycen Maruma also picked up two wickets each.
Ray Price was unlucky not to get a wicket but only went for seven runs from his 10 overs.
But it was the Zimbabwe batsmen who set up the victory. Hamilton Masakadza was in fine form once again, smashing 72 from 66 balls.
Tatenda Taibu hit a controlled 74 and Charmu Chibhabha (51) also notched up a half century, but Chigumbura got the Zimbabweans over 300 with a quick-fire 33 from just 19 balls.
The next match is between Ireland and Kenya on Saturday, before Kenya face Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Zimbabwe innings
Masakadza c Porterfield b Johnston 72 (66)
Zhuwawo c Rankin b Johnston 16 (20)
Chibhabha b Rankin 51 (69)
Taibu b Connell 74 (99)
Matsikenyeri c O’Brien b Botha 27 (19)
Chigumbura c Botha b Connell 33 (19)
Dabengwa b Cusack 1 (2)
Maruma c Wilson b Connell 2 (3)
Utseya not out 3 (4)
Extras 24 (b 4, lb 5, w 14, nb 1)
Total 303 (8 wickets; 50.0 overs)
FoW: 1-71 (Zhuwawo, 8.2 ov), 2-99 (Masakadza, 16.5 ov), 3-201 (Chibhabha, 37.6 ov), 4-259 (Matsikenyeri, 44.5 ov), 5-262 (Taibu, 45.4 ov), 6-266 (Dabengwa, 46.3 ov), 7-285 (Maruma, 47.6 ov), 8-303 (Chigumbura, 49.6 ov)
Bowling
Connell 8-0-68-3 (2w)
Rankin 6-0-53-1 (1w)
Johnston 10-0-40-2 (2w)
Botha 10-0-44-1
McCallan 10-0-47-0
Cusack 6-0-42-1 (1nb, 2w)
Ireland innings
Porterfield c Price b Utseya 10 (21)
N O’Brien c Utseya b Chigumbura 2 (6)
Wilson c Chibhabha b Chigumbura 0 (5)
Botha st Taibu b Utseya 21 (31)
White c Chibhabha b Maruma 18 (35)
K O'Brien c Taibu b Dabengwa 38 (63)
Cusack c & b Maruma 5 (15)
Johnston c Price b Dabengwa 12 (49)
McCallan lbw b Dabengwa 25 (29)
Connell run out (Chibhabha) 6 (22)
Rankin not out 0 (0)
Extras 10 (lb 3, w 7)
Total 147 (all out; 46.1 overs)
FoW: 1-9 (NJ O'Brien, 2.4 ov), 2-14 (Wilson, 4.3 ov), 3-17 (Porterfield, 5.6 ov), 4-49 (Botha, 13.4 ov), 5-63 (White, 18.5 ov), 6-72 (Cusack, 24.1 ov), 7-113 (Johnston, 37.1 ov), 8-115 (KJ O'Brien, 37.4 ov), 9-147 (McCallan, 45.6 ov), 10-147 (Connell, 46.1 ov)
Bowling
Chigumbura 5-0-18-2 (3w)
Utseya 9.1-0-29-2 (1w)
Mpofu 3-0-8-0 (2w)
Price 10-5-7-0
Maruma 10-1-50-2 (1w)
Dabengwa 6-1-17-3
Zhuwawo 3-0-15-0
Zimbabwe won by 156 runs