Hondo took four early wickets

Opening bowler Zaheer Khan dismissed Sean Ervine with the final delivery to finish with figures of four for 45.

Earlier, Kaif hit an unbeaten 111 as India recovered from early difficulty to reach 288-6.

They had been struggling on 87-5 after an inspired spell by Zimbabwe opening bowler Doug Hondo.

But the sixth-wicket pair of Kaif and Rahul Dravid added 117 in the next 24 overs.

And, when Dravid was run out for 71 off a needless single, Kaif was helped in a late innings burst by tailender Anil Kumble.

Cameo stands

Zimbabwe began with their own flutter, losing two wickets in the first 10 overs.

But Flower was joined by brother Grant to add 84 for the third wicket.

Flower's 145 came from 164 deliveries

Guy Whittall made 29 in a stand of 71, and Doug Mariller managed 14 in a sixth wicket stand of 41.

But his dismissal, caught at leg slip, left Zimbabwe 240 for six with five overs remaining.

Flower had been dropped by Ashish Nehra at third man when he had managed just 15.

But he went on to break the Zimbabwean one-day highest individual score record.

Zimbabwe will need to beat England on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing in the competition.