Curtis Campher pats back the rest of Mark Watt's first over - a wicket maiden.

Chris Sole tests Andy McBrine upstairs, but the Ireland opener is equal to it, uppercutting for four, before pulling powerfully for just a single.

More tidy stuff from Brandon McMullen, but Andy McBrine throws his hands at the slightest bit of width, and picks up four through the off-side.

Dropped catchpublished at 6 overs

6 overs

Ireland 22-3 v Scotland

It could, maybe should, be four for Scotland.

Lorcan Tucker is looking to swing some momentum back Ireland's way, but completely miscues his pull shot back towards Chris Sole.

However, the big quick can't hang on to the return catch in his follow-through.

A wicket maiden for Brandon McMullen, who has now taken 3-2 from his opening three overs. Handy.

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Tector clips Chris Sole through midwicket for Ireland's first boundary of the innings - lovely shot.

Chris Sole is asking plenty of question here though, generating good pace and nipping this new ball about a bit.

He thinks he's trapped Andy McBrine lbw, but umpire Alex Wharf shakes his head, indicating that it pitched just outside leg.

Brandon McMullen continues to find a little bit of shape, and again finds the outside edge, but it's well played by Harry Tector - soft hands see it fall well short of Mark Watt in the slips.

Just a single from the third over.

Good wheels from Chris Sole, who gives Andy McBrine the hurry-up a couple of times.

He pushes a couple of wides down the leg-side, but it doesn't dampen the Scotland mood, which is sky-high here.

Harry Tector leaves the hat-trick ball well alone, and sees out the rest of the over with minimal fuss.

What a start for Scotland and Brandon McMullen though. They couldn't have dreamed of a better start.

Chris Sole will open up from the other end.

Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine make their way to the middle for Ireland. Brandon McMullen has the new ball in hand for Scotland.

Away we go...

Ireland's hopes of reaching the World Cup later this year suffered an early blow with a five-wicket defeat by Oman in their opening qualifying game.

After losing the toss, Ireland made 281-7 off their 50 overs, with George Dockrell ending unbeaten on 91 and Harry Tector scoring 52.

Kashyap Prajapati top-scored with 72 as Oman chased down Ireland's total with 11 balls to spare, finishing on 285-5.

Andy Balbirnie's men are in desperate need of a win today as they aim to bounce back.

The main positive for Scotland on their team sheet is that Mark Watt's name is there.

The influential left-arm spinner has been a prominent figure for Derbyshire this summer, taking his maiden first-class five-fer against Yorkshire recently, but he has put his county duties on hold to represent his country out in Zimbabwe.

He is an exception to the rule though. Pretty much every associate nation participating in this qualifying tournament are without key players, who are, entirely justifiably, prioritising the guaranteed money that county deals bring.

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland: Matthew Cross, Christopher McBride, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Richie Berrington (c), Tomas Mackintosh (wk), Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole.

Ireland: Andy McBrine, Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Ben White.

Good morning! The sun is shining in Bulawayo, as Scotland get their World Cup qualifying campaign under way, and Ireland look to bounce back from their opening defeat to Oman.

First blood goes the way of Scotland in the latest meeting of these old rivals; Richie Berrington has won the toss and decided to have a bowl.

We'll bring you the teams very shortly.