Karaj, Iran, May 21, 2025: In a gripping final of the West Asia Baseball Championship, Palestine edged past defending champions Pakistan 5-4 after extra innings, clinching their first-ever regional title in a dramatic showdown held in Karaj, Iran.
The match remained deadlocked at 4-4 after nine innings, pushing the contest into a tense extra frame where Palestine scored the decisive run, capitalizing on a missed opportunity by the Pakistani side to strike back.
Palestine started the game on the front foot, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning and piling on pressure by extending the advantage to 4-0 by the third. Pakistan, initially on the back foot, mounted a comeback with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, narrowing the deficit to 4-2.
Despite Pakistan’s growing momentum, Palestine responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth with another run to maintain a two-run cushion. The Green Shirts, showing grit and determination, leveled the score at 4-4 in the ninth inning, forcing extra innings. However, Pakistan was unable to convert in the final stretch, while Palestine held their nerve to claim a historic 5-4 victory.
Earlier in the third-place playoff, host nation Iran defeated India, concluding the tournament with a morale-boosting win on home soil.
Pakistan had entered the final with dominant performances, topping Group B after defeating Bangladesh 10-6, and crushing Iran 14-0. In the semifinals, Pakistan overpowered traditional rivals India with a resounding 14-1 win, setting up a much-anticipated final.
Palestine’s victory marks a milestone in West Asian baseball and underlines the growing competitiveness of the sport in the region.
