HARARE. Oct 25: India wanned up for their historic visit to South Africa with a 30 run win over Zi-

mbabwe tn a one-day cricket international here today, reports AFP

After being bowled out for 239. India fought back in the field to dismiss Zimbabwe for 209 with the first ball of the 501h over

Zimbabwe opener Andy Flower made 62. but the man of the match was allrounder Gary Crocker who took four for 26 and slammed 50 runs.

The win brought cheer to the Indian camp after they struggled to hold Zimbabwe to a draw In the home side's maiden Test last week

The Indians leave for South Africa on Monday to play four Testa and seven one-day inter nationals, the first official tour to the republic after it was readmitted to the Internationa] Cricket Council last year

The tourists overcame a reckless batting display after Zimbabwe skipper David Houghton made them bat In perfect conditions.

Only Sanjay Manjrekar, India s century-maker in the Test, held firm with a polished 70 off 75 balls. Hi* 73-run stand with Praveen Amre (36) helped India consolidate after reeling at 78 for four In the 21st over.

Zimbabwe faltered with the bat despite a cautious start by the Flower brothers who put on 63 for the first wicket tn 18 overs.

Seamer Javagal Srlnath provided the first breakthrough when he beat Grant Flower, on 34. with a faster delivery to shatter the stumps.

Left-handed All Shah, who missed the Test through injury. made 16 before Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddln ran him out with a throw from mid-wicket.

Zimbabwe slid to 98 for three In the 29th over when captain David Houghton (four) drove part-time seamer Ajay Jadeja into Praveen Amre's hands at deep cover.

Andrew Waller began by pulling Jadeja over mid-wicket for six. but tailed to keep down a drive off Manoj Prabhakar and was caught at mid-off by Anti Kumble.

In Kumble's next over, newcomer Craig Evans was held by Azharuddln at square leg to make Zimbabwe 123 for five

Andy Flower and Crocker revived Zimbabwe's hopes by adding 58 for the sixth wicket, but an asking rate of over eight

an over tn the last 10 over* proved too much.

With President Robert Mugabe watching. Zimbabwe ma de a sensational start to the game by removing both open er* with the fir»t nine balls with only a single on the board.

Ajay Jadeja, who replaced left handed Woorkeri Raman from the Test squad, had his •tump uprooted by debutant left arm seamer David Brain with the second ball of the match.

Vice captain Ravi Shastri went off the third ball of the second over bowled by Mark Burmester.

Azharuddln. who promoted himself to number three, and Sachin Tendulkar, put on a brisk 74 for the fourth wicket to retrieve the situation.

While Azharuddln ran quick singles and twos, the aggressive Tendulkar launched a blistering attack, slamming six boundaries in hl* first 28 run*

Both batsmen, however, fell In identical fashion in two suc-ctqlvt over* from left-arm seamer Crocker to reduce India to 78 for four In the 21st over.

Azharuddln. who made 29. attempted a big heave off a well-pitched delivery to hit the ball down Brain's throat at long on

The Brain-Crocker duo was at work again when Tendulkar perished two overs later after making 39 off 66 balls with seven four*.

Manjrekar and Praveen Amre added 73 for the fifth wicket before two quick wick ets set India back to 168 for six in the 40th over.

Amre, missed by wicket keeper Andy Flower off brother Grant's bowling when on 25. was trapped leg before by veteran off-spinner John

Zonal hosts Bandarban Joined Bangladesh Customs, Dhaka University and Chan dpur as the fourth team to qualify for the final round of the 17th national football championship for the Shcr-e-Bangla Cup by edging past Cox's Bazar by a solitary goal in the Bandarban zonal final yesterday.

The final round comprising the ten zona! champions, defending champions Bangladesh Army and hosts of the finals Mymcnsingh DSA will begin from November 4 at the Mymcnsingh Stadium.

Bandarban. who were declared winners against Ran-gamatt in the semifinals after a player of the latter team — Aung Chaung Chowdhury — had been found guilty of double registration, yesterday proved a real match for Cox's Bazar, who beat Chittagong by two goals to one in their semifinal encounter.

Ripon scored the all-important goal for Bandarban in the 82nd minute.

Gtasuddin of Cox's Bazar Invited the yellow cards for rough play.

Chairman of the local government parishad Sa Chingh Pru witnessed the keenly-contested final as chief guest and distributed the trophies.

Eight DSAs — Chittagong. Rangamati, Khagrachhari. Cox's Bazar. Noakhall. Luxmi-pur, Feni, and the hosts Bandarban — took part in the zonal qualifier*.

Traico* for 36

Grant Flower finally had a wicket of hts own when new batsman Kapil Dev swung hard and high to long-off where newcomer Craig Evan* held a well Judged catch

India looked like getting a 250-plus total after being 210 for six from 44 over* But Zimbabwe fought back to claim the last four wickets for the addition of just 28 runs.