Zimbabwe held its nerve to defeat the West Indies by two runs in a thrilling first One-Day International at the Guyana National Stadium here Thursday. The host, chasing Zimbabwe's 254 for five off 50 overs, was restricted to 252 for nine. The West Indies needed 15 runs off the last over and was well on course when tail-ender Nikita Miller hit a six and a four off the first two balls. He took a single off the third delivery before debutant pacer Shingirai Masakadza shifted the momentum with two wickets on successive balls. It left the host needing four off the last ball and last man Kemar Roach could only eek out a single to midwicket as Zimbabwe celebrated its first one-day victory over the West Indies in the Caribbean in ten attempts. The West Indies' run chase was paced by its two most experienced batsmen, captain Chris Gayle (57) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (70). Gayle laid a solid platform with an opening stand of 99 in 23 overs with 19-year-old debutant Adrian Barath (50). When Chanderpaul was sixth out to Shingirai Masakadza, Zimbabwe was on top with 22 still required off 13 balls. Shingirai Masakadza kept his composure and bowled Dwayne Smith before claiming Sulieman Benn next ball thanks to a fantastic running catch by Graeme Cremer at midwicket. Roach could not deliver the final ball boundary the West Indies needed. Earlier, opener Vusi Sibanda hit a resolute 95 to anchor Zimbabwe after it won the toss and batted. Wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu contributed a vital 56 off 54 balls in a second-wicket stand of 100 with Sibanda. Hamilton Masakadza scored 41 off 45 deliveries at the top of the order. Zimbabwe got a steady start from Hamilton Masakadza and Sibanda, who added 67 for the first wicket on a placid pitch. Sibanda continued to be a perfect foil for the strokemakers and added a run-a-ball 47 with Chigumbura, who hit a six and a four in 27 off 22 balls. The second contest in the five-match series is at the same venue Saturday. - AP Scoreboard Zimbabwe H. Masakadza lbw b Miller 41 V. Sibanda b Roach 95 T. Taibu lbw b Pollard 56 B. Taylor run out (Pollard) 01 E. Chigumbura c Fletcher b Pollard 27 S. Matsikenyeri not out 16 G. Lamb not out 02 Extras (b4, lb2, w7, nb3) 16 Total (5 wkts, 50 overs) 254 Did not bat: G. Cremer, P. Utseya, S. Masakadza, R. Price Falls: 1-67 (H. Masakadza, 18.4 overs); 2-167 (Taibu, 37.1); 3-168 (Taylor, 37.5); 4-215 (Chigumbura, 45.4); 5-241 (Sibanda, 48.3). Bowling: Roach 9-0-34-1 (nb2); Benn 10-4-38-0; D.R. Smith 3-0-18-0; Pollard 10-0-59-2 (w4); Miller 10-1-52-1 (w3); Deonarine 8-0-47-0 (nb1). West Indies C. Gayle lbw b Lamb 57 A. Barath b Chigumbura 50 Chanderpaul c C'bura b S. Masakadza 70 A. Fletcher run out (Cremer/Taibu) 06 N. Deonarine run out (Taibu/Utseya) 17 K. Pollard c Taylor b Utseya 05 D. Ramdin b Chigumbura 08 D.R. Smith b S. Masakadza 04 N. Miller not out 12 S. Benn c Cremer b S. Masakadza 00 K. Roach not out 01 Extras (b2, lb7, w11, nb2) 22 Total (9 wkts) 252 Falls: 1-99 (Gayle, 22.6 overs); 2-126 (Barath, 29.3); 3-136 (Fletcher, 32.4); 4-165 (Deonarine, 37.6); 5-193 (Pollard, 42.4); 6-233 (Chanderpaul, 47.1); 7-235 (Ramdin, 48.4); 8-251 (Smith, 49.4); 9-251 (Benn, 49.5). Bowling: Utseya 10-1-47-1 (w2); Price 10-1-31-0; Cremer 10-0-48-0 (w2); S. Masakadza; Lamb 10-0-35-1 (w4); Chigumbura 5-0-32-2 (nb1, w2); Taylor 2-0-14-0. Man of the Match: Vusimuzi Sibanda. __
