WANIA ATHER
ISLAMABAD: Five times defending champion Pakistan qualified for semi-final battle against Iran after defeating Iraq on Monday at Pakistan Sports Complex here.
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Iran have already booked their spots for semi-final.
Pakistan nudged closer to defending the title beating Iraq by clean 25-0 points in 13th edition of West Asian Baseball.
Arsalan Jamshed and Faqir Hussain scored four runs each. Captain Sumair Zawar along with Amin Afridi, Riaz Khan and Wasim Ali contributed three runs apiece.
Umair Bhatti and Muhammad Majeed added two runs while Fazal Khan managed to score one run.
Central fielder Muhammad Rafi displayed full confidence over the ability to retain the title: “We have a decent team and it’s all about how we coordinate among ourselves.
“We have been the top side till now and we are confident that we will be able to defend this crown”
Second match of semi-final clash will be played today between Sri Lanka and Nepal.
Pakistani Baseball team – that has been winning Western Division Championship for the last three years – is ranked 24th in the world and fifth in Asia.
Pakistan is aiming to secure their place in 2020 Olympic qualifier in Thailand.