UPDATE: Cricket World Cup Qualifier | Windies beat UAE by 60 runs

Shimron Hetmyer and Chris Gayle led with their bats and Jason Holder devastated with the ball, as the West Indies opened their campaign for a spot in next year's Cricket World Cup with a 60 runs win over United Arab Emirates in their qualifier in Harare. 

Hetmyer slammed 127 runs from 93 balls; helping himself to 14 fours and 4 sixes in the process, to lead the West Indies scorers as they racked up 357 for 4, after choosing to bat first in their Group A encounter at Old Hararians.

Chris Gayle was also impressive, scoring 123 runs from 91 balls, inclusive of seven 4s and 11 sixes. 

Imran Haider with 1-62 and Rohan Mustafa, 1-66, were the best among the UAE bowlers. 

In their reply, UAE were stopped at 297 for 6 in their 50 overs, with Rameez Shahzad scoring an impressive 112 runs off 107 balls. 

UAE found themselves in early trouble at 3 for 69, but a fourth wicket partnership between Shaiman Anwar, who made 64 runs, and Shahzad, added 144 runs, lifting the tally to 214 runs, before Anwar was dismissed, trapped leg before wicket by Holder. 

Holder was a nightmare for the UAE throughout the contest and ended with figures of 5 for 53 off his 10 over. 

The Windies will next face Papau New Guinea on Thursday at 2:30 a.m. (Jamaica time) before playing Ireland on Saturday at the same time. They will follow that up with a game against the Netherlands on Monday also at 2:30 a.m.

The Caribbean side is looking to finish in the top two at the competition to secure their spot at next year's ICC Cricket World Cup