Can baseball take off in Pakistan?

[Pakistanian]

It's like a dumbed down version of cricket but just as fun, do y'all think it can take off in the future? It'd be cool to see Pakistanis playing in the mlb and match the Japanese, Cubans, and Dominicans in talent.

I'm sure many of our first class cricketers can have decent careers in the mlb as batters and pitchers, as all you really have to do is now how to slog and if you can pitch real fast and throw in the odd 'curve ball' (Baseball's version of the yorker lol) then you're all set.

 

[Farz]

I doubt any sport (except cricket) can take off in Pakistan. There is no proper governance for any sport in Pakistan, so highly doubt baseball will take off in Pakistan.

As for how easy or hard baseball is compared to cricket, it's not as easy as people think. Yeah, it looks easy, people think every pitch is a "Full Toss" easy to hit, but not as easy. In cricket, you can see the seam of the ball and guess if it's a slow ball, fast ball, spin etc, but in baseball you have to play guessing game (unless the pitcher is tipping pitches). Then smaller sweet spot on the bat, need to learn how to use whole field (most cricketers will be pull hitters in baseball, and suspect to over shifts in baseball), pitchers will have learning pitches, control issues etc. Look at Kieran Powell from West Indies, he tried but failed. Long story short, unless you start playing baseball from young age it is not an easy game. With history of bad sporting governance in Pakistan, baseball isn't taking off anytime soon.

 

[Syed1]

Baseball is NOT fun

 

[Syed1]

I doubt any sport (except cricket) can take off in Pakistan. There is no proper governance for any sport in Pakistan, so highly doubt baseball will take off in Pakistan.

As for how easy or hard baseball is compared to cricket, it's not as easy as people think. Yeah, it looks easy, people think every pitch is a "Full Toss" easy to hit, but not as easy. In cricket, you can see the seam of the ball and guess if it's a slow ball, fast ball, spin etc, but in baseball you have to play guessing game (unless the pitcher is tipping pitches). Then smaller sweet spot on the bat, need to learn how to use whole field (most cricketers will be pull hitters in baseball, and suspect to over shifts in baseball), pitchers will have learning pitches, control issues etc. Look at Kieran Powell from West Indies, he tried but failed. Long story short, unless you start playing baseball from young age it is not an easy game. With history of bad sporting governance in Pakistan, baseball isn't taking off anytime soon.

Actually we seem to be doing quite well in boxing and snooker

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I doubt it although I think we do have an international team.Having played the sport before,it’s quite fun as well as achallenging.It is a bit different from cricket,but same in it’s essence:See ball;hit ball.

Pakistan suffers from poor governance,same problem with sport.Cricket took off,but other sports like hockey and fottball have either declined or failed to take off.

 

[Syed1]

Also fun fact: Pakistan's women's baseball side is ranked 12th in the world

 

[Pakistanian]

Baseball is NOT fun

Well yeah it's boring to watch but fun to play.

 

[Farz]

Baseball is NOT fun

You must have missed this year's playoffs, and especially the World Series. Regular season is pretty long, and hard for casual fan to follow, but usually action picks up during September and playoffs time.

 

[CricketCartoons]

I had to stay up whole night during MLB season and now for all Phoenix Suns and 49ers games. Providing tech support. Hopefully our product will get entry into the IPL.

 

[Friend786]

I considered baseball pretty boring before i followed this year's playoffs and learned the rules by watching games. Astros and Dodgers played out in the World Series, it was great to watch. Especially, game 2 & 5 were amazing.

 

[Friend786]

Pakistan is ranked 23rd in official baseball rankings, we are not that bad. Definitely, much much better than football and other sports. If the baseball federation is funded and supported well, we might improve considerably.

 

[Madplayer]

Why not popularize gilly danda?

 

[the Great Khan]

we have an international team and many of their players are ex cricketers who didnt make it. It could provide a secondary path for some players so why not?

 

[bones]

I have tried a few times to get into american sports and my opinion is the same. They have far too many period of inactivity to be enjoyed. That's also why I've not longer got a major interest in cricket.

Americans don't mind ads as much it seems.

 

[Chrish]

As usual people are mistaking two games to be similar; they aren’t.

Tendulkar can practice baseball for a year but he isn’t hitting any home runs. Similarly Barry Bonds would have hard time surviving an over from Warne.

It’s entirely different skill set and players would have to hone their skills at the club level from their childhood.

 

[big_gamer007]

Chances are low but you ever know..

 

[Raja Sab]

I love this game, its really fun and a family sport. Wish it starts getting attention in Pakistan

 

[Major]

THere is a reason why cricket is famous in Pakistan.

Actual cricket, hard ball, its not fun. The game isn't fast, its very slow paced.

What riles up us to play cricket is tape ball. Tape ball has a fast playing style.

Baseball doesn't have smaller versions and its a slow moving sport

 

[Rayyman]

THere is a reason why cricket is famous in Pakistan.

Actual cricket, hard ball, its not fun. The game isn't fast, its very slow paced.

What riles up us to play cricket is tape ball. Tape ball has a fast playing style.

Baseball doesn't have smaller versions and its a slow moving sport

Yes baseball does have smaller versions.

Some examples are kickball, whiffleball, PG-6 and softball.

 

[Pakistanian]

THere is a reason why cricket is famous in Pakistan.

Actual cricket, hard ball, its not fun. The game isn't fast, its very slow paced.

What riles up us to play cricket is tape ball. Tape ball has a fast playing style.

Baseball doesn't have smaller versions and its a slow moving sport

You've never played kickball or softball then.

 

[ElRaja]

Pakistan just played in the asian baseball championships and came 3 in their group of 4, they lost to world champs japan 14-0, but ended up 5th of 8 teams.

there seems to be a move to improve pakistans baseball, with ideas of poaching former or latter stage cricketers too.

competing against the best will take a long time, but Pakistan seem to have a few decent young players.

 

[sweep_shot]

Baseball is a boring sport.

All the best to Pakistan in baseball.

 

[ahmadharis1]

Baseball is an awesome sport, people need to give it a chance. The same way people describe the beauty and classic nature of test cricket is similar to the appeal of baseball. Hope it takes off in Pakistan

 

[BouncerGuy]

Good news from a sport not known to many in Pakistan.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781054304280809851

 

[Suleiman]

Good news from a sport not known to many in Pakistan.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1781054304280809851

Was gonna say let’s poach him for cricket… but choosing PCB over a MLB franchise is like choosing to stay over at a mental hospital instead of a decent hotel for the night.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Was gonna say let’s poach him for cricket… but choosing PCB over a MLB franchise is like choosing to stay over at a mental hospital instead of a decent hotel for the night.

Only a stupid individual would go for PCB instead of MLB. Baseball has crazy fan following in that country.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Arab Baseball Classic: Pakistan grab 4th consecutive win to reach semi-finals​

Pakistan's baseball team grabbed their fourth consecutive victory after defeating Afghanistan 17-3 during the ongoing Baseball United Arab Classic in Dubai.

The team's strong performance places them at the top of their group, securing a spot in the tournament's semi-finals.

Pakistan’s batters dominated the game, with players like Zan, Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Shah, Wahid, and Ammar delivering standout performances.

Zan led the charge with an inside-the-park home run, adding to his impressive tally with a grand slam that gave Pakistan a solid lead.

The game's early play set the tone for Pakistan. Wahid, Zain, and Sameer executed a double play that gave the team firm control.

Pitchers Hasnain Jan, Syed Ali, and Hasan Imam backed up the batters with exceptional pitching, limiting Afghanistan's scoring opportunities.

This victory adds to Pakistan's successful campaign, having previously defeated India, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh. Now undefeated in the group stage, Pakistan has moved confidently into the semifinals.

Fakhar Shah, the manager of Pakistan baseball team, is hopeful of continuous good show by the players in the tournament.

Arab Baseball Classic: Pakistan grab 4th consecutive win to reach semi-finals

KARACHI: Pakistan's baseball team grabbed their fourth consecutive victory after defeating Afghanistan 17-3 during the ongoing Baseball United Arab Classic in Dubai. The team's strong...

www.thenews.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan clinch United Arab Classic Baseball title​

Pakistan defeated the United Arab Emirates 12-1 to secure the United Arab Classic Baseball championship, finishing the tournament undefeated, reported Radio Pakistan on Monday.

Hosted by Baseball United, the championship was held in the UAE from November 7-10 and included nine teams: Palestine, UAE, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal.

In earlier rounds, Pakistan qualified for the final by beating Afghanistan 17-3 on Saturday, India 12-0, UAE 10-3, and Bangladesh 10-0 on November 7.

The Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB), recognised by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, has expanded since its 1992 founding by Syed Khawar Shah and now leads in South Asian baseball development.

Over the past 15 years, Pakistan’s teams have achieved 10 championships, including the West Asia Cup in Islamabad in January 2023.

Last week, Pakistan secured a dominant 12-0 victory over India in the Baseball United Arab Classic, advancing to the knockout stage of the tournament.

The Pakistani team maintained complete control throughout the game, keeping India on the back foot from start to finish. India failed to score a home run, as Pakistan's defence and pitching, led by Faisal Hayat, kept their opponents under pressure.

Pakistan's offence was relentless, with home runs in the second, fourth, and fifth innings. Romail Khan, Mohammad Younis, Zan Shariff, Jibran Murtaza, and Mohammad Hussain delivered standout performances, contributing to the emphatic victory.

The Pakistani squad for the Baseball United Arab Classic

Sameer Ahmed Khatri, Zan Shariff Von Schlegell, Amar Bilal Mahmood, Iyad Ansari, Pierce Romail Khan, Moosa Nonomiya (Khizer Hayat), Syed Ali Shah, Syed Muhammad Shah, Hasnain Jan, Syed Muhib Shah, Muhammad Zohaib, Muhammad Younas, Muhammad Hussain, Muhammad Amjad Aslam, Shahzad Ahmad, Wasim Akram, Musharaf Khan, Jibran Aman Murtaza, Wahid, Faisal Hayat, Hussain Imam Shah, Umair Imdad Bhatti.

Pakistan wins United Arab Classic Baseball championship in Dubai | The Express Tribune

Pakistan remained undefeated, beating UAE 12-1 in the final.

tribune.com.pk