Calum MacLeod (L) celebrates with George Munsey of Scotland after reaching his 150 during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier between Afghanistan and Scotland at  the BAC Stadium  on March 4, 2018 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

CWCQ: Day 1 storylines

Calum MacLeod (L) celebrates with George Munsey of Scotland after reaching his 150 during the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier between Afghanistan and Scotland at  the BAC Stadium  on March 4, 2018 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Here's is the best of the action from day one of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Don't have time to read the full match reports? Here's everything you need to know in a nutshell.

MAC-ATTACK

Calum Macleod and Richie Berrington hit a national record 208-run stand for the third wicket for Scotland, the defending ICC CWCQ champions, against Afghanistan, in a comfortable seven-wicket victory in their opening encounter.

Macleod and Berrington, who also put on a strong show with the ball earlier, helped carry their side from a tricky position, staying positive and steadily rebuilding from 21/2. Macleod scored a brilliant hundred from 99 balls in the 31st over.

Calum MacLeod leads Scotland to opening win

After that, he went into cruise mode, finishing on 157 not out off 146 balls, including 23 fours and one six. Berrington, meanwhile, was the perfect foil, with 67 off 95 balls.

Perhaps the biggest shock of the match was Rashid Khan's bowling figures: 1/68 from nine overs.

NAVEED RIPS THROUGH PNG'S TOP-ORDER

UAE's Mohammad Naveed ripped the life out of PNG's top-order, as they fell to 23/4 after just 4.6 overs, with the right-arm medium bowler claiming a four-for in no time at all. He dismissed Lega Siakafor for a duck in the first over of the second innings and never looked back.

PNG's innings off to a nightmare start

PNG's Assad Vala slashed across the line to an in-swinging delivery from Naveed, before the opener bowler claimed the wicket of Sese Bau and Vani Morea, who were out bowled and lbw respectively.

He later returned to claim his five-for and the Player of the Match award as UAE dominated proceedings.

ZIMBABWE'S BATSMEN FIRE

Sikandar Raza scored a blistering 66-ball 123 and then returned 3/48 to get Zimbabwe’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign off to a flyer, as they beat Nepal by 116 runs at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Brendan Taylor and Raza both scored centuries and forged a 173-run stand for the fifth wicket to help Zimbabwe post a towering 380/6. Raza then struck with his off-spinners to lead the way in restricting Nepal to 264/8 in their 50 overs.

IRELAND IMPRESS

Ireland strolled to a commanding victory over the Netherlands in Harare, winning by 93 runs via the DLS Method.

Andy Balbirnie had held Ireland's innings together with a 75-ball 68, and the Netherlands could never keep up with the rate after some impressive Ireland bowling.

Andrew Balbirnie top scores for Ireland with 68

Overall, it was an excellent all-round effort from Ireland, with wickets and runs shared around a very competitive outfit.

BULAWAYO ROCKS

The electric atmosphere in Bulawayo made it feel like Zimbabwe were playing with an extra man. The home support looked delighted that their nation was hosting the Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, and the fact their team snatched a comfortable victory would have made their day even better!