Calum MacLeod last night stroked a superb half-century as Scotland completed their build-up for the WT20 qualifiers with a convincing win over Namibia.
MacLeod took charge from the start as the Scots overpowered their rivals to win by nine wickets with 46 deliveries to spare at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Chasing Namibia's 116-6, the former Warwickshire man watched opening partner Richie Berrington hit a four and a six in the first over only to be trapped lbw from the fifth delivery of the innings. However, MacLeod, supported brilliantly by Matt Machan, launched a blistering counter-attack which quickly took the match away from the Namibians. He reached 50 with his seventh boundary and hit the winning runs with his third maximum.
MacLeod finished unbeaten on 62, having faced 42 balls while Sussex star Machan's 43 not out came from only 26 deliveries and included five boundaries and a six.
Earlier the Scottish bowlers had kept their rivals in check from the moment Neil Carter struck in the second over to dismiss the dangerous Louis van der Westhuizen. Carter went on to claim two for 23 while new-ball partner Iain Wardlaw took one for 17 and Majid Haq conceded only 13 runs from his four overs.
Pete Steindl, the coach, was pleased with the perormance.
"We kept things simple and I was happy with the positive and aggressive approach in all departments," he said.
Steindl's men, attempting to reach next year's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, open their campaign against Bermuda in Sharjah tomorrow.
There was a shock - and a warning - when tournament favourites Ireland lost to Papua New Guinea, one of Scotland's group rivals.
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