Superb centuries from Chris Gayle and Shimron Hetmeyer and a five wicket haul from captain Jason holder secured a 60 run win over the United Arab Emirates in their opening match at the ICC World Cup qualifiers at the Old Hararians Sports club, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Gayle blasted his 23rd one day ton of 123 while hetmeyor was posting his first as the west indies raked up a challenging 357 for 4 in their 50 overs.

Gayle faced 91 balls and cracked eleven sixes and seven fours while Hetmeyr faced 93 balls blasting fourteen fours and four sixes.

Shai hope retired hurt on 35, Marlon Samuels was dismissed for 15 while Jason holder 12 and Ashley Nurse on nought were the not out batsmen.

Amirt Hayat, Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza and Imran Halder picked up a wicket each.

At their turn to bat the United Arab Emirates led by a century by Rameez shazad came close but were restricted to 297 for 6.

Shazad cracked 112 including 9 fours and four sixes and useful contribution came from Shairman Anwar who cracked 64 and Adnan Mufti 45.

Captain Jason holder bagged 5 for 53 while Kemar Roach 1 for 60.

The ‘Windies will next play Papua New Guinea on Thursday, Ireland on Saturday and the Netherlands on Monday.

Meanwhile hosts Zimbabwe hung on to secure a 2 run thriller over Afghanistan.

Zimbabwe were first restricted to 196 with Brendan Taylor top-scoring with 89 with support from Shikandar Raza 60.

At their turn to bat Afghanistan came to within a whisker of victory but were dismissed for 194 with Raza bagging 3 for 40.

The ICC cricket World Cup qualifier 2018, will produce two sides that will complete the 10-team line-up for the ICC cricket World Cup 2019 to be played in England 2019.