Dubai, UAE – Day Two of the Baseball United Arab Classic brought a new level of energy as teams battled to build momentum and make history on the diamond. With powerful plays and thrilling finishes, teams fought to secure their place in the tournament standings while fans filled the stands to witness the action unfold. The day highlighted standout performances, national pride, and the growing impact of baseball across the region.
Day 2 highlights featured Palestine’s dramatic win over Sri Lanka, 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 showcased their strength against Afghanistan with a dominant 12-0 victory, combining 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 offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Afghanistan’s Osman Shinwari struggled on the mound, conceding 10 runs and nine hits over 3 innings.
KSA vs. Nepal:
Saudi Arabia captured their first-ever tournament win in commanding fashion, defeating Nepal 14-2. Right-hander Jake Curtis secured 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. Nepal’s Ritesh Bishwakarma surrendered 12 runs in 3 innings.
Afghanistan vs. UAE:
The UAE delivered a dominant performance against Afghanistan, winning decisively 15-0. Chris Beyers led the charge with two doubles and an RBI, while 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. Afghanistan struggled to keep pace as UAE capitalized on every opportunity.
Palestine vs. Sri Lanka:
In a thrilling back-and-forth contest, Palestine edged out Sri Lanka 8-7 in a dramatic finish. Yunis Halim shined 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.
India vs. Pakistan:
Pakistan delivered a dominant 12-0 victory over India, showcasing 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 and striking out four. India’s Akshay More struck out 7 batters but allowed 2 earned runs in 3 innings, as Pakistan cruised to a shutout victory.