DUBAI: Day Two of the Baseball United Arab Classic saw Saudi Arabia comfortably defeat Nepal 14-2, as well as featuring Palestine’s dramatic win over Sri Lanka.
The day also showcased a dominant offensive display by the UAE against Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s huge victory over India in one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups.
“Two straight days and nights of amazing baseball and incredible passion,” said Kash Shaikh, Baseball United chairman, CEO and co-founder. “The fans were awesome, the environment was electric, and the field was beautiful. We ended the night with two great games, with Palestine and Pakistan coming out on top. Baseball is truly here in Dubai.”
Game recaps:
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Bangladesh put on a show against Afghanistan, claiming a dominant 12-0 victory behind a mix of offensive firepower and commanding pitching. Right-hander Azgar Hussain earned the win with a stellar 3-inning performance, allowing no runs, walking two and striking out five.
First baseman Imran Khan led the offensive charge for Bangladesh, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, setting the tone for an explosive lineup. Afghanistan’s Osman Shinwari struggled on the mound, giving up 10 runs and nine hits over 3 innings, as Bangladesh cruised to a decisive shutout win.
KSA vs. Nepal
Saudi Arabia captured their first-ever tournament win in commanding fashion, defeating Nepal 14-2 in a historic game. Right-hander Jake Curtis earned the victory with a solid 4-inning outing, allowing only 2 runs while striking out two.
Kevin Workman headlined KSA’s offense, going 2-for-3 with the Kingdom’s first-ever home run and driving in three runs. James Overstreet also delivered, going 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Nepal’s Ritesh Bishwakarma struggled on the mound, surrendering 12 runs in 3 innings, as Saudi Arabia celebrated this milestone victory.
Afghanistan vs. UAE
The UAE put on a dominant performance against Afghanistan, claiming a decisive 15-0 victory. Chris Beyers led the charge with two doubles and an RBI, while a remarkable eight UAE players tallied an RBI, showcasing the team’s balanced offense.
RHP Bobby Fiala earned the win with three scoreless innings, adding two strikeouts and maintaining control on the mound. Afghanistan, still searching for its first win, struggled to keep pace as UAE’s relentless lineup capitalized on every opportunity.
Palestine vs. Sri Lanka
In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Palestine edged out Sri Lanka 8-7 in one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament so far. Yunis Halim shone as Palestine’s hero, driving in two runs and coming in as a reliever for the final inning, where he struck out Sri Lanka’s Hemantha Pushpasiri with the bases loaded to clinch the victory. For Sri Lanka, centerfielder Sameera Rathnayake delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI, keeping his team in the game until the final pitch.
India vs. Pakistan
Pakistan delivered a dominant 12-0 victory over India, showcasing both offensive power and pitching mastery. Muhammad Hussain led the charge with a 2-for-4 performance, including a double and 3 RBIs, while Zan Shariff added 3 RBIs of his own with a 1-for-3 effort.
On the mound, RHP Syed Muhib was untouchable, tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless ball, striking out 4 and keeping India’s offense to just a single hit. India’s Akshay More struck out 7 batters but was unable to contain the aggressive Pakistani lineup, allowing 2 earned runs in 3 innings, as Pakistan cruised to a dominant shutout victory.
