The Leicester winger put his side ahead with a curling shot in off the post.
But Kudakwashe Mahachi’s low shot into the corner and a Nyasha Mushekwi penalty made it 2-1 to Zimbabwe – a lead they held until the 82nd minute.
Algeria hit the bar twice before Mahrez levelled with a speculative 25-yard shot that Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva should have saved.
The pressure saw the Warriors struggle to contain the Fennecs of Algeria but managed to hold the north Africans to end the game 2-2 in the Group B opener.
The next game will see Senegal come up against Tunisia later today.
Starrfmonline.com
