Pakistan hammer Iran to reach semis of West Asia Baseball Cup

KARACHI: In a dominant display, the Pakistan baseball team secured a commanding 14-0 victory over Iran in their Group B match at the West Asia Baseball Cup on Friday. 

The defending champions showcased their prowess with two wins in as many games, standing atop the group. 

From the outset, Pakistan's batters overwhelmed Iran's pitching, scoring three runs in the first inning, six in the second, and three more in the third, effectively sealing the game early.

They added two insurance runs in the fifth against the hosts before the game was called after seven innings due to the mercy rule. 

Pakistan's offensive firepower was backed by a flawless defensive effort, with pitcher Muhammad Haris tossing six scoreless innings while striking out 13 batters and allowing just two hits.

Wasim Akram emerged as the standout performer with the bat, driving in three runs on two hits, while Saeed Akhtar matched his RBI tally and showcased his speed with three stolen bases. The victory follows Pakistan's 10-6 triumph over Bangladesh in their tournament opener, cementing their position atop Group B.

Pakistan will now face the runner-up from Group A in the semifinal.

Scoring summary:

IRI: 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 — 0 (2 hits, 8 errors)

PAK: 3 - 6 - 3 - 0 - 2 - 0 - X — 14 (10 hits, 1 error)