Pakistan thrashed hosts UAE 12-1 to take home the trophy at the inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic on Sunday, remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.A total of nine nations took part in the tournament held at the Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens in Dubai.
Pakistan began the series with a 10-0 win over Bangladesh, followed by a commanding 10-3 win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Friday.Pakistan then recorded back-to-back victories against India (12-0) and Afghanistan (17-3) to enter the semi-finals.
Muhammad Hussain was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the tournament.Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Envoy to the UAE, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the team.“Pakistan’s victory in a sport that is not widely played back home has taken everyone by surprise. This win reflects the determination, skill, and dedication of our athletes,” Tirmizi was quoted as saying in a statement posted on X by Pakistan’s Embassy in the UAE.
He emphasised that this success strengthens Pakistan’s sports reputation internationally. “We look forward to more such achievements and to furthering the spirit of sportsmanship between our nations,” he added.
Hussain Muhammad, Consul General along with other diplomats of the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai, were present at the stadium. While celebrating the remarkable win, the Consul General congratulated the players and management of the team for their efforts and dedication, the statement added.
“Congratulations to Pakistan on their incredible victory,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder, of Baseball United.“This was the largest and most competitive baseball tournament in the history of the region, and the Pakistan team showed they are not only one of Asia’s top teams, but they are on the path to compete with the best baseball-playing nations in the world. Congratulations to Manager, Syed Shah, the entire team, and the country of Pakistan on this impressive championship.”
Baseball United is the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and the Subcontinent and was founded in 2022, according to its website.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday it has asked the sport’s governing body to explain India’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next year.The International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the PCB last week that India would not tour Pakistan for the eight-team tournament, leaving the fate of the event hanging in the balance.
Pakistan had previously rejected the option of a hybrid arrangement that would allow India to play their matches at neutral venues, for example in the United Arab Emirates.“The PCB has responded to last week’s ICC letter seeking clarifications for the Indian Board’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for next year’s Champions Trophy,” Sami-Ul-Hasan told AFP.
Deteriorating political ties have meant the bitter rivals have not played a bilateral cricket series for over a decade — squaring off only in ICC multi-nation events.Pakistani media reported on Tuesday that the PCB would be unwilling to accept security reasons for India’s refusal to visit.
New Zealand have toured Pakistan three times in the past two years, with England visiting twice and Australia once in the same period.Pakistan also visited India for last year’s ODI World Cup and the PCB had expected the gesture to be reciprocated for the Champions Trophy.
The Champions Trophy is slated to be played across three venues — Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi — from February 19 to March 9 next year.But a final schedule due to be announced this week has been postponed over the stand-off — which PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi termed disappointing.
“Almost every country wants the tournament to be played in Pakistan and it will be disappointing if they don’t come,” Naqvi, who is also the interior minister, said last week.“I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter. We’ll give every team as many facilities as we can.” Naqvi said Pakistan would consider pulling out of events in India as a response.
