Pakistan wins inaugural Baseball United Arab Classic

Pakistan claimed the trophy at the first-ever Baseball United Arab Classic tournament, which wrapped up in Dubai on Sunday.

The tournament, held at the newly constructed Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens, saw Pakistan dominate throughout, outscoring opponents by a staggering 57 runs. In the championship game, Pakistan cruised to a 12-1 victory over the UAE to seal the title.

Over the course of four action-packed days, nine nations from the GCC and Subcontinent played 21 games, thrilling thousands of fans in the stands and a global streaming audience.

The UAE, making its debut in international baseball, was the tournament’s surprise finalist. After defeating Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals and toppling a strong Palestine team in the semis, the UAE made it to the final, despite losing both encounters to Pakistan.

The UAE finished the tournament with five wins and two losses, marking a historic achievement in the nation’s baseball journey.

In a remarkable feat, Baseball United formed the UAE National Baseball Team in just 30 days, following official sanctioning by the Emirates Cricket Board in October. The new Ballpark was constructed in only 38 days, providing a state-of-the-art venue for the tournament.

Baseball United’s Chairman and CEO, Kash Shaikh, praised the tournament and Pakistan’s performance: "Congratulations to Pakistan on their incredible victory. This was the largest and most competitive baseball tournament in the history of the region, and the Pakistan team showed they are not only one of Asia’s top teams but are on the path to compete with the best in the world."

The tournament marked a significant milestone for the UAE as it continues to develop its baseball programme, with the second-place finish serving as a testament to the country’s rapid growth in the sport.