Pakistan’s baseball team emerged victorious against the Indian team 12-1 in a friendly baseball match in Islamabad on Thursday.
The match played consisted of more than seven innings during which Zakir, Wasim and Shahzad scored two runs each.
It may be noted that the match between the arch-rivals was held after the conclusion of the West Asia Cup on Wednesday in which Pakistan emerged victorious by defeating Palestine 11-3 in the final.
Congratulating the winners, Pakistan Federation Baseball wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations: Pakistan New West Asia Cup Baseball Champions. Team Palestine won the hearts of the people with their brilliant performance. Pakistani pitchers Amjad and Zohaib congratulated the Palestinian players. Made it very difficult for
Earlier, the host team defeated Sri Lanka 16-1 to reach the final of the event.
Meanwhile, Palestine qualified for the title by defeating Bangladesh in the second semi-final.
In the opening match of the tournament, the 43rd-ranked Pakistani team started the work by defeating Afghanistan 17-0, while in the second match, the host team defeated Bangladesh 14-0.
It should be noted that teams from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Palestine are participating in the West Asia Cup.
After qualifying for the finals, Pakistan and Palestine also booked their place in the Asian Baseball Championship, which serves as the Baseball World Cup qualifying event.
Friendly match with India
The News reported earlier today that India has invited Pakistan to play a friendly baseball series in India in April, with Indian captain Ankit Joshi calling it an attempt to revive sporting ties between the two neighboring countries.
Sharing the news, captain Ankit Joshi said that the Pakistani team is eagerly waiting for the visit to India for the friendly series. Joshi was accompanied by Indian Baseball Federation Secretary Harish Kumar.
“We have invited the Pakistan baseball team to play at least a three-match series in India in April to promote sports exchanges. Pakistan has accepted the invitation and now we are eagerly waiting for the West Asian champions to cross the border and play the series,” said Harish.
A growing game
Baseball is still in its infancy in Pakistan, where leagues are few and far between and games are played on football fields.
Sports began in the country in 1992, when Syed Khawar Shah founded the Pakistan Federation of Baseball. They played on a basic baseball diamond at the U.S. Embassy and the coaches’ primary teaching tool was American baseball videos.
