Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod's record partnership propelled Scotland to a fully deserved 24 run win over Hong Kong in the Desert T20 opener in Abu Dhabi.

The pair scored 60 apiece in a third wicket stand of 127 in just 12 overs as Scotland posted an imposing 189 for 3 in their 20 overs.

The partnership was a record for Scotland in T20 internationals - surpassing the 111 made by Michael Leask and Matt Machan against the Dutch at the same venue in 2013.

They fell just three short of Scotland's record stand in all T20 games - the 130 set by Fraser Watts and Kyle Coetzer against Uganda back in 2010.

The pair clearly enjoy batting together - they have made four of Scotland's seven century stands in T20 cricket.
They came together after new skipper Kyle Coetzer (31) and George Munsey (22) shared an opening stand of 61 in 51 balls.

Ehsan Khan (2-26) accounted for both in the space of three deliveries to peg Scotland back, but the arrival of MacLeod and Berrington soon saw the momentum shift decisively.

MacLeod unveiled his repertoire of trademark reverse sweeps and switch hits, unsettling the Hong Kong attack. His fluent 60 came off just 34 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes) - his fourth in T20I cricket.

Berrington was more conventional in his strokeplay - but no less destructive - his undefeated 60 coming from 40 deliveries (2 fours, 2 sixes). It was his first in T20I cricket - although he does have a century to his name in the memorable win over Bangladesh.

Hong Kong were in truth never in the hunt for the run chase, especially after suffering the blow of losing the influential Aziaz Khan without facing a ball - run out by Berrington's direct hit from point.

Shahid Wasif (40), Anshuman Rath (29), and Nizakat Khan (22) struck some lusty blows, but it was all about run rate and respectability for the Asian side.

They eventually finished on 165 for 6, thanks primarily to a sixth wicket stand of 46 in 25 balls between Wasif and Ehsan - the latter top scoring with an entertaining unbeaten 42 from just 22 balls, clearing the ropes three times as well as striking three fours.

Scotland are next in action on Tuesday when they face The Netherlands in an all-European clash, before finishing the group stages on Thursday when they take on a dangerous Oman side in Dubai.