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Pakistan and India are all set to renew their storied rivalry, this time on the baseball field, as they gear up for a blockbuster semifinal clash at the West Asia Baseball Cup on Tuesday.
The regional tournament is currently taking place in Karaj, Iran.
The event, organized by the Baseball Federation of Asia, which is the continental branch of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) and operates under the International Olympic Committee (IOC), features top national teams from across West Asia.
Pakistan, the defending champions, have stormed into the semifinals in commanding fashion, topping Group B with a perfect record.
The Green Shirts opened their campaign with a 10-6 win over Bangladesh in a game that saw early fireworks and some nervy moments.
Pakistan raced to a 6-run lead early on but allowed Bangladesh to claw back due to fielding lapses. However, bowler Syed Muhib Shah stepped up to anchor the side’s recovery and ensure a winning start.
In their second match in the West Asia Baseball Cup, Pakistan produced a ruthless display against hosts Iran, cruising to a 14-0 win.
The batting unit ran riot from the very first inning, piling up 12 runs in the first three frames. On the mound, Muhammad Haris was virtually unplayable, delivering six scoreless innings, striking out 13 batters, and conceding just two hits.
India, meanwhile, booked their place in the West Asia Baseball Cup semifinal after finishing second in Group A.
Their campaign began on a shaky note with a 1-6 loss to Palestine, but they bounced back strongly with consecutive victories over Sri Lanka (3-2) and Afghanistan (12-4) to stay in the hunt for the title.
The second semifinal will feature Palestine against Iran, with both matches deciding who advances to the final of this marquee regional event.
All eyes, however, will be on the Pakistan-India encounter — a rivalry that transcends sport and never fails to deliver drama, no matter the stage.
READ: India set to withdraw from Asia Cup 2025 amid tensions with Pakistan: reports
