Palestine clinched a historic victory over defending champions Pakistan, winning the final of the West Asia Baseball Championship 5-4 in extra innings after a dramatic contest on Wednesday.
The high-stakes final, held in Karaj, Iran was level at 4-4 after nine innings. Palestine managed the decisive run in the tenth to lift the regional title for the first time.
Team Palestine walk it off bottom of the 10th. Final score Pakistan loss 4-5- Congratulations team Palestine, a well deserved winner. pic.twitter.com/iUuyxYMQ7q
— Pakistan Federation Baseball 🇵🇰⚾️ (@pakbaseball) May 21, 2025
Palestine took control early, scoring one run in the first inning and three more in the third to take a 4-0 lead. Pakistan responded with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth to reduce the deficit to 4-2.
Palestine answered back immediately, adding a run in the bottom of the fifth. However, Pakistan mounted a late comeback, scoring twice in the ninth to tie the game and force an extra inning.
Despite the momentum, the Green Shirts failed to score in the tenth inning. Palestine capitalised, sealing the game with a decisive run to claim a nail-biting win.
Today’s bad news we lost the West Asia Cup but we still qualified for Asian Championship. Good news we will be back at the full strength. Pakistan’s favourite Amaan Khan is back in September for Asian Championship. Sep 22-29. China pic.twitter.com/qRVWwOSfea
— Pakistan Federation Baseball 🇵🇰⚾️ (@pakbaseball) May 21, 2025
Earlier in the third-place playoff, hosts Iran defeated India to secure the bronze.
Pakistan had enjoyed a dominant run leading up to the final. They topped Group B, beating Bangladesh 10-6, shutting out Iran 14-0, and routing arch-rivals India 14-1 in the semifinals.
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