ISLAMABAD: Pakistan moved one step closer to retaining the West Asia Baseball Cup title after overwhelming Iran 11-0 in a one-sided last-four clash and set up a final showdown against Sri Lanka who beat Nepal by the same margin on Tuesday.

In seven innings, Pakistan batters Arslan Jamshed, Riaz Khan and Fazal Khan contributed two runs each while captain Sumair Zawar, Umair Bhatti, Majeed, Amin Afridi and Faqir Hussain contributed one run each.

Pitches Zohaib and Irfanullah did the rest for the hosts, preventing Iran from scoring.

“We should have finished match in five innings with 15 runs, but we made some mistakes,” Pakistan head coach Musadiq Hanif said. “We’ll be aggressive in the final.”

Sri Lanka also won against Nepal in seven innings with Ashan Weerasekara making three runs and Sahan Avishka contributing two while Sandun, Aruna Shantha, Aklanka, Saliya, Dilina and Subash chipped in with one each.

Pakistan, ranked 24th in the world and fifth in Asia, have won the last three editions of the West Asia Cup. And Musadiq hopes his side can deliver a fourth title on Wednesday.

“We are hopeful for defending our title in style even though Sri Lanka have played brilliantly throughout the championship,” he said.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2017