Calum MacLeod hammered a blistering century as Scotland stepped-up their World Cup qualifying bid with a convincing win against United Arab Emirates in Queenstown, New Zealand.
After a lengthy rain delay at the picturesque South Island venue, MacLeod took out his frustrations with a searing assault on the Arab bowlers to score 113 from only 62 deliveries in a match reduced to 28 overs.
It was enough to inspire the Scots to a 53-run win against the previously unbeaten UAE, who they have leapfrogged in the Group A table on net run-rate.
Victory against Canada on Wednesday will secure a place in the Super Six stage and MacLeod said: “It was one of those days when everything we tried came off.
“We had a bit of luck – hitting the ball just over fielders – but that’s going to happen in an innings like that.”
MacLeod had able support from Matty Cross who was promoted to open and proved his aggressive style is perfectly suited to the shorter format.
The pair put on 178 for the first wicket in just 17.3 overs as the Scots came flying out the blocks.
Cross, tipped to be Nottinghamshire’s next wicketkeeper-batsman, hit 10 fours and three maximums in a 60-ball 88.
But the Aberdonian’s effort was eclipsed by MacLeod who went on to hit his highest score for Scotland.
The former Warwickshire player cleared the rope four times as well as stroking 12 classy boundaries.
By the time he was out, going for another big shot, the Scots had reached an impressive 227-3 in the 24th over.
As the middle order maintained the onslaught they went on to post 265-6 at a remarkable 9.5 runs an over.
Yorkshire’s Iain Wardlaw quickly had UAE reeling with two early scalps on his way to a third consecutive three-wicket haul.
Majid Haq also claimed three but there was resistance from Khurram Khan who responded to his team’s plight with a rapid 87.
MacLeod, though, completed a brilliant all-round display by removing UAE’s leading-scorer as Scotland closed on victory.
The man-of-the-match added: “The team are ecstatic. We wanted a good victory to stamp our mark on the tournament and I believe we got one with this performance.
“If we can keep playing like this we’ll do well.”