ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India convincingly won their matches on the fourth day of the West Asia Baseball Cup here at the Pakistan Sports Complex.

On Thursday, defending champions Pakistan outclassed Iran 12-0 in their seven-innings match. Batter Sumair Zawar played a key role in the convincing victory for the hosts. Sumair, Ubaidullah and Abubakr scored three runs each.

While, Umair Bhatti, Arslan and Fazal also scored one run each the pitchers particularly Anayat Niazi displayed brilliant performance and never allowed the opponents to open run account. Sumair was declared the best player of the match.

“We are very optimistic to remain unbeaten in this championship...our players are playing brilliantly,” said Mohammad Mohsin Khan, senior vice-president of the Pakistan Baseball Federation.

Earlier, India outplayed Iraq 20-0. Mohammad Ali, Pankaj, Sanjay, Ravinder scored three runs each for India while Rakash, Amith Bahader and Jatin scored two runs each. Throughout the game, the Indian players dominated and didn’t give any chance to Iraq to put pressure on them.

Speaking to Dawn, Indian coach Siraj Ansari said that his team has the potential to clinch the baseball title. He, however said that he was very impressed from the performance of the Pakistani team. “Pakistan players are in fine touch...they are playing brilliantly and I don’t think they will lose any match,” Ansari said.

Ansari and Indian team’s senior official Anup Asthana said that Pakistan was a perfect place for sports activity. “Before coming here, we thought there will be problems while playing in Pakistan. But honestly speaking, we are very much impressed... every thing from security to hospitality is perfect here. We are enjoying and we will visit Pakistan again very soon,” said Asthana.

He said that India is likely to invite Pakistan women baseball team in May-June this year. Asthana said that after visit of Pakistani team, as a reciprocity act, Indian team will also visit Pakistan.

“We are in talks with Pakistani federation for playing a number of bilateral series,” Asthana said.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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