DHAKA: Zimbabwe have beaten Australia for the first time in 31 years as captain Elton Chigumbura's 52 not out led his team to a famous three-wicket win in the ODI triangular series.

Chigumbura carried the tournament host to 211-7 on Sunday, overhauling Australia's below-par 209-9 on a tough batting strip at Harare Sports Club.

Opposite number Michael Clarke also made an unbeaten half-century for Australia on his return from injury, but then re-injured his hamstring in only his country's second loss ever to the southern African team and said he would leave the tournament to return home for treatment, reports stuff.co.nz

It was Zimbabwe's first win over the Australians since they met in ODIs for the first time at the 1983 World Cup. Chigumbura had valuable help from Prosper Utseya, who was 30 not out in a match-winning half-century partnership at the end.

The tense victory - sealed with two overs to spare, but after Zimbabwe was struggling at 156-7 - sparked rare celebrations and a lap of honour for a team that recently lost two ODIs in a row to draw a series with lowly Afghanistan and had been beaten in its previous seven one-dayers at home.

BDST: 1142 HRS, SEP 01, 2014