Baseball United Arab Classic Day One Recap
Pakistan wins two games to lead Group A; Palestine atop Group B
DUBAI, UAE (November 7, 2024) – The Baseball United Arab Classic has officially kicked off in Dubai, making history as nine national teams hit the field for an unforgettable day of competition. Fans filled the new Baseball United Ballpark, witnessing the birth of baseball’s next chapter in the Middle East and South Asia.
From early morning matchups to late-night battles, every game brought a mix of national pride, intense rivalry, and game-changing moments. Today set the tone for a tournament that’s not just about wins and losses, but about uniting cultures and igniting a passion for baseball that will resonate across the region.
The day’s highlights included Pakistan launching the tournament’s first home run, UAE notching a historic debut victory, and Sri Lanka’s explosive offense powering them past Saudi Arabia. Each game delivered thrilling plays and early narratives that promise an exciting road ahead in the coming days.
“Thirty-eight days ago this field was a pit of dust and dirt,” said Kash Shaikh, Chairman, CEO, & Co-Founder of Baseball United.. “Today, nine countries from the GCC and South Asia competed on a beautiful professional field in front of passionate fans from all around the world. It was a dream. I’m so thankful for all the teams, so grateful for all our fans, and so proud of our amazing Baseball United team. Today we all made history together.”
Game Recaps:
Afghanistan vs. India
India opened their Arab Classic campaign with a commanding 11-1 victory over Afghanistan, showcasing both pitching dominance and offensive depth. Winning pitcher Siddih Vaishnav struck out four across 2.1 scoreless innings, while first baseman Narender Kumar drove in three runs with two hits, including a double. Catcher Chaitanya Pawar added two hits and two RBIs, setting the tone for India’s powerful day at the plate. Afghanistan’s Osman Shinwari struggled, allowing nine runs in just three innings.
Bangladesh vs. Pakistan
Pakistan surged to a 10-0 shutout victory over Bangladesh, powered by a historic home run from third baseman Muhammad Hussain—the first of the tournament. Hussain went 2-for-2, crossing the plate three times, while pitcher Jibran Murtaza delivered a masterful performance, striking out six and surrendering only one hit over four innings. Pakistan’s balanced attack kept Bangladesh on their heels throughout.
India vs. UAE
In their historic debut, the UAE national team made an emphatic statement with a 7-1 win over India. Right-hander Jose Acosta kept India at bay, allowing just one run over four innings, while shortstop Chris Beyers chipped in with two RBIs to drive the UAE offense. India’s reliever Saurabh Gaikwad struggled in his two-inning appearance, allowing three runs. The UAE’s debut left an indelible mark on the tournament’s opening day.
Sri Lanka vs. Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka’s bats erupted in a 15-6 victory over Saudi Arabia, overshadowing the Saudi team’s first appearance on the international stage. Roshan Samaraweera and Niroshan Sriyaranthne each contributed a triple and three RBIs, pacing a relentless Sri Lankan lineup. Saudi starter Sean McKee struggled early, giving up four earned runs, while reliever Gerald Nathan allowed nine runs across two innings in a challenging debut for Saudi Arabia.
Nepal vs. Palestine
Palestine routed Nepal 17-2 behind a relentless offense that tallied 17 runs on the day. Third baseman A.J. Jabir went 2-for-2 with a double and an RBI, while outfielder Addel Dolah also added a double and scored twice. Nepal’s starter, Arayan Chettri, was hit hard, allowing ten runs across two innings, as Palestine capitalized on every opportunity to secure a decisive win.
UAE vs. Pakistan
Pakistan continued its dominant run in the tournament, defeating the UAE 10-3 in a game marked by powerful offense and solid pitching. Left-hander Muhammad Zohaib earned the win with 2.1 innings of work, striking out four and holding UAE’s lineup in check.
Pakistan’s bats lit up the field, with standout performances from Muhammad Hussain, who went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and shortstop Zan Shariff, who went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and a walk. Sameer Khatri also contributed with a 1-for-3 day and drove in two runs, rounding out a strong showing for Pakistan as they rolled to another decisive victory.
To learn more about Baseball United, visit baseballunited.com.
To purchase tickets to the Arab Classic, visit Platinumlist.
About Baseball United
Baseball United is the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Baseball United’s inaugural Showcase event in Dubai was broadcast in 127 countries, reaching 200 million households, and our new ballpark is the first professional baseball field in the history of the region. Our mission is to inspire one billion new fans to fall in love with baseball. Our ownership group includes award-winning entrepreneur, Kash Shaikh, and 20 baseball legends, including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Adrián Beltré, Robinson Chirinos, Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, Ryan Howard, and Ronald Acuña Jr. In addition to our professional league, the Baseball United ecosystem spans youth development, federation partnerships, media and content production, merchandise, and non-profit outreach. With over 30 nationalities represented on our team rosters and a new suite of innovative game changes, Baseball United is working to create a new future for baseball in one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse regions in the world.
Media Contact:
Salome Fernandes, Senior Vice President, Media, Baseball United
salome@baseballunited.com
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