ISLAMABAD: By winning their last league match against India, Pakistan clinched the gold medal and thus retained the West Asian Baseball Cup at the Pakistan Sports Complex on Friday.

The green-shirts, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, trounced India 11-0 in their last match.

Pakistan, India, Iran and Iraq participated in the 12th edition of the tournament. The fifth team Afghanistan was not allowed to participate due to a documentation issue.

Iran claimed the silver medal followed by India.

The event was jointly organised by the Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) and Pakistan Sports Board.

Pakistan with the help of outstanding performance of Sumair Zawar, Jawad Khan and Burhan Johar, who made two runs each, scored 11 runs in five innings.

The winners made several changes to their team and gave chance to four junior players.

It is relevant to note here that it was Pakistan’s 23rd consecutive victory against West Asian countries. In this championship, the green-shirts scored 43 runs but did not concede a single run.

“We are very happy after retaining the title ... our players have lot of potential but we need proper support from the government to become one of the top teams in the world,” captain Umair Bhatti told Dawn.

He said Pakistan is at world no 21 in this game and if government pays proper attention, this team could make its place among top 10 teams of the world.

“Instead of focusing only on cricket, the government should pay attention to us. We can bring laurel for the country,” the jubilant captain added.

Like batters, Pakistan’s pitchers kept full pressure on Indian batters and didn’t allow them to open account.

Indian capitan Pankaj Ramola said their team was inexperienced than the Pakistan side.

“We tried our best to produce good result but honestly speaking Pakistan side was very strong. Anyhow, in future while playing against Pakistan we will try to overcome our mistakes,” Ramola said.

To a query, he said the Indian team enjoyed every moment in Pakistan.

“Here is no issue... we are enjoying... such sport events should continue to bring people of both countries close,” he remarked.

Earlier, Iran beat Iraq 18-4.

Iran’s batters Jeleel Changazi and Saied Batani made three runs each. While, Hassam Kayvan Rana made two runs each.

Iraq’s inexperienced side put up strong resistance and scored four runs. Humam Haidi made two while Mustafa and Firas Knana scored one run each for them.

Pakistan’s Sumair Zawar and Anyat Niazi were declared best batter and pitcher of the tournament.

Whereas, Amit Bahadur from India and Iran’s captain Kayvan Rana were adjudged as the best catcher and fielder respectively.

Speaking at the prize-distribution ceremony, PFB chairman Shaukat Javed said that events like West Asian Baseball Cup not only provides a chance to players to improve their game while playing against each other but it also helps in fostering friendship.

Speaking to Dawn, head coach Musadiq Hanif said that after winning this championship, Pakistan was eyeing upcoming Senior Asian Championship, to be held in Chinese Taipei in September.

He said Pakistan players were working hard to perform splendidly in the championship, which is a qualifying tournament for the World Cup.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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