Dubai-based Baseball United to announce 1st franchise

The franchise will be the first professional baseball team in the history of the region (Baseball United)
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Updated 11 May 2023
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Dubai-based Baseball United to announce 1st franchise

  • Initial franchise will be 1 of 4 announced this year by new pro baseball league for Middle East, Indian subcontinent

DUBAI: Baseball United, the first-ever professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and Indian subcontinent will reveal its first-ever franchise on May 15.

The franchise will be the first professional baseball team in the history of the region.

Kash Shaikh, president, chief executive officer, and co-owner of Baseball United, said: “We are very excited to share the city and team that will be the first to carry the Baseball United banner.

“This announcement is a huge milestone for our league, our players, our coaches, and – most importantly – our fans.

“A lot of work and a great deal of planning has gone into this selection. It’s a big deal. This is history, and I can’t wait to share the news.”

Baseball United will announce its first four franchises this year, with all four competing in its Dubai Showcase in November. Baseball United franchises will all be located within Gulf Cooperation Council member nations and South Asia, which collectively has a population of 2 billion people.

GCC countries include the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Baseball United has defined its south Asian footprint to include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

The official franchise announcement will take place via Baseball United social media channels, website, and several international media outlets.


Perth Scorchers win sixth BBL title after trouncing Sydney Sixers

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Perth Scorchers win sixth BBL title after trouncing Sydney Sixers

  • The Australia squad will fly to Pakistan to play three 20-over matches
  • It will prepare Australia for opening T20 World Cup fixture against Ireland

PERTH: Perth Scorchers raced to their sixth Big Bash League title on Sunday with an emphatic six-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers in the final at Perth Stadium.

Earning hosting ​rights after crushing the Sixers in a qualifier last week, the Scorchers bowled first and bowled their six-time Grand Final rivals out for a paltry 132 in 20 overs as pacemen David Payne and Jhye Richardson combined for six wickets.

With 15 balls remaining in their reply, the hosts reached 133-4 anchored by a 43-ball 44 from Mitch Marsh.

“It feels like ‌a weight has ‌been lifted off our shoulders, we ‌have ⁠high ​expectations, and ‌to be able to deliver on those expectations is really satisfying,” said Scorchers captain Ashton Turner.

The table-topping Scorchers started their chase in audacious fashion when Marsh, Australia’s T20 captain, pulled the first ball for six.

His opening partner Finn Allen, the season’s top run-scorer with 466, got the better of quick Mitchell Starc in a ⁠19-run fourth over, bringing the crowd to their feet with a scooped six into ‌the second tier.

With rain threatening, the ‍Scorchers powered ahead at nearly ‍10 an over until a spectacular one-handed catch by Jack ‍Edwards off Starc dismissed Allen for 36.

Seamer Sean Abbott accounted for Aaron Hardie (five) and Marsh, but Josh Inglis (29 not out) saw the Scorchers over the line with a majestic six over long-off.

Earlier, the Perth crowd ​of 55,018 roared in delight when Sixers’ drawcard Steve Smith, who averaged 60 in the tournament at a ⁠strike rate of 168 yet finds himself out of T20 World Cup reckoning, dejectedly departed for 24 when all-rounder Hardie reviewed for lbw.

Fortunate to survive three missed run outs in the space of five balls, skipper Moises Henriques was caught for 24 off the medium pace of Payne, who ended with 3-18.

Fast bowler Mahli Beardman, on the cusp of international selection, closed out the innings with two wickets and a run out in the final over.

The Australia squad will fly to Pakistan for three 20-over matches ‌in preparation for their first T20 World Cup fixture against Ireland in Colombo on February 11.