The inexperienced youthful Zimbabwean side pulled a 38-runs-victory over the Tigers, last week, during the Tri-Nations series involving Sri-Lanka, in Bangladesh.
It was Zimbabwe's first victory over a test-playing nation, since November 2007.
But their opponents, who beat powerhouse, Sri-Lanka, to storm into the finals of the three-team tournament, relegating Zimbabwe, will not be taking the three ODI matches lightly after such a rude awakening, last week.
All-rounder Elton Chigumbura who scooped $US1000 worth of the man of the match award in their fruitful encounter, following his highest score of 64 and some commendable bowling, will be expected to help stabilize his team's batting order when Zimbabwe face the Tigers' mean spin bowlers.
The other two ODI matches follow on January 21 and 23 at the same venue.
Victories against Bangladesh and Ireland, though lowly ranked internationally, are important to the Zimbabwe Cricket side that has hogged the lime-light for the wrong reasons in recent years, to help them take one step at a time to revive their long lost pride.
Cricket enthusiasts reminisce about the days when former captain, Andy Flower and his brother Grant, then affectionately known as the Flower Power, conquered the crease to assure Zimbabwe of half centuries and more. The days when the dismissal of Zimbabwe's opening pair Murray Godwin and G. Flower did not thwart any hopes of a victory as equally reliable and entertaining batsmen were in line; veteran batsmen such as A. Flower, Neil Johnson, Guy Whittal, Trevor Gripper and Alistair Campbell.
Unfortunately, it was very unlike that today when the fall of the opening pair, Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza's wickets will be the beginning of a pitiful procession of Zimbabwean batsmen back to the pavilion.
Fans miss the ODIs when Zimbabwe's tail began with the likes of Andy Blignaut, Brian Strang and Heath Streak, reliable bowlers with average batting figures of not less than 20.
They are hungry for displays such as the 1999 ICC World Cup, when Henry Olonga made himself an enemy of the Indian cricket fans by claiming their last three wickets in one over, when India only needed 9-runs, to seal their victory. Zimbabwe pulled a shocking win from the jaws of India, to qualify for the Super Six stage of the global extravaganza.
But gone are the days, gone are the quality and experienced players, and the local cricket fanatics will need to let go, but standards once set should be maintained.
It is sad that the few local cricket followers who visit Harare Sports Club as Zimbabwe faces emerging powerhouses like Sri-Lanka and West Indies, are tempted to support the visiting side.
Zimbabwe Cricket selectors will need to decide on a consistent team, to gain international exposure for the much needed experience, and begin a serious preparation for a come-back to the longer version of the game, test cricket.
Zimbabwe squad: Prosper Utseya (captain), Elton Chigumbura, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mpofu, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Edward Rainsford, Malcom Waller, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Coach: Walter Chawaguta; Assistant coach: Douglas Hondo; Manager: Givemore Makoni.