Chasing a Zimbabwean total of 110 for five, the Dutch went into the final over still needing 12 to win, an improbable task given the scoring rates which have characterised the matches to date.
But so well did Heather Siegers rise to the challenge, despite losing Sterre Kalis off the second legitimate ball of Josephine Nkomo's over, that only three were required from the final ball. She could, however, only get that delivery as far as short extra cover, and was inevitably run out attempting a single, so that Zimbabwe prevailed by 2 runs.
It was a much improved performance by the Dutch side after yesterday's defeat by Ireland, although some of the same weaknesses revealed themselves. The bowlers were still unable to command a consistent length, and despite picking up four Zimbabwean wickets in the first ten overs - one each for Siegers and Cher van Slobbe and two for Esther de Lange, who bowled four steady overs of off-spin - they were never able to slow the flow of runs enough to keep their opponents below the all-important psychological barrier of 100.
That said, they held their catches, and the ground fielding was a lot more reliable than it had been against Ireland.
For Zimbabwe, there were three crucial stands: 31 from 42 balls for the third wicket between Mary-Ann Musonda and Pellagia Mujaji; 31 again, from 27 balls, for the fifth between Sharne Mayers and Nkomo; and then, decisively, an unbroken 37 in 36 balls for the sixth between Nkomo and Precious Marange.
It was Mayers, with 22 from 18 deliveries, including two fours and a six, and Marange, with 24 not out from 21 balls, who really did the damage, and who left the Dutch facing a fairly still challenge.
Even so, a succession of wides in the first overs of the Dutch reply, and some enterprising batting from Miranda Veringmeier and Sterre Kalis, raised the hopes of the Dutch supporters that they might pull off a notable victory.
They received a major setback when Veringmeier was brilliantly caught on the long on boundary by Christabel Chatonzwa when she had made just 13, but Kalis was batting with more freedom than she had managed on Saturday, and together with Cher van Slobbe she kept the scoreboard ticking pover.
The asking rate was steadily creeping upwards, however, and when Van Slobbe was unluckily run out backing up 37 were still needed from 28 deliveries.
Siegers joined Kalis, and they kept their side just about in the game, despite some steady bowling from the Zimbabwean spinners and some excellent work in the field. Marange's 13 runs from four overs, which added to her batting earned her the Player of the Match award, and Tasmeen Granger's one for 13 from four were ultimately match-winning efforts.
Kalis reached 49, from 62 deliveries, before she was run out in the final over, and Siegers made 18 from 16.
It had been a spirited battle, but in the end Zimbabwe held on to win, and it was evident from their celebrations that they knew how near they had come to a significant defeat. For the Dutch is was all desperately disappointing, but they can draw comfort from the fact that they fought hard all the way, and go into their final group match, against China on Tuesday, looking to raise their game another notch and end the group phase with a victory.