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Defending champions West Indies [Images] made their intentions clear in the ICC [Images] Champions Trophy as they beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets after dismissing them for a paltry 85 in a qualifier in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Man of the match Chris Gayle took three wickets and scored 41 runs as West Indies cruised to 90 for one in 14.2 overs.

Pacemen Jerome Taylor [Images] and Dwayne Smith two each as the African nation collapsed for the third lowest team total in the competition after United States' 65 in 2004 and Bangladesh's 77 in 2002.

Opting to bat, Zimbabwe lost their top four batsmen by the 10th over for just 31 runs and were dismissed with 19.5 overs left.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and only three batsmen managed to reach double figures as Smith and Gayle struck quick blows.

Zimbabwe skipper Prosper Utseya top-scored with 27 before being the last man out, lbw to Gayle.

The defending champions made short work of the chase as Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul [Images] romped to an opening partnership of 66 runs in 9.5 overs.

Gayle, living dangerously, was out caught by Stuart Matsikenyeri off Elton Chigumbura at mid-on while going for another big hit. He played an entertaining 34-ball innings that included six fours and a six.

Captain Brian Lara [Images] then hastened the end, hitting a 20-ball 24 to wrap up a huge win for the West Indies with a six.

Sri Lanka [Images] meet Zimbabwe next in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.