Pakistan women make impression in Asian Baseball

Although Pakistan’s women’s baseball team made history in Thailand, securing their first-ever bronze medal at the Women’s Baseball Asian Cup Qualifier, this progress has not been achieved in short time yet it is after a long struggle and hard work of team of dedicated workers behind this rare feat.

This rare achievement of Pakistan women baseball team had made the country proud rather earned a milestone in the nation’s sporting journey.

During this magnificent performance in Asian baseball event, Pakistan women defeated hosts Thailand 5-1 for the bronze medal match, showcasing resilience and tactical brilliance under pressure.

The victory also earned them a coveted spot in the Asian Women’s Baseball Championship, scheduled to be held in China from October 24 to November 2, 2025. This upcoming championship will serve as a qualifier for the Women’s Baseball World Cup.

Earlier Pakistan women had narrowly lost to India in the group match.

Secretary General of Pakistan Federation Baseball and Team Leader Syed Fakhar Ali Shah credited the team’s discipline and strategy for the historic achievement.

“It was a proud day for Pakistani. Despite a loss to Thailand in the super round, we came back stronger, stuck to our strategy and showed what this team is truly capable of.”

The win, no doubt, has sparked celebrations across Pakistan’s baseball community. President of Pakistan Federation Baseball Shaukat Javed, Chairperson Women’s Wing Sadia Alvi, Secretary Aisha Eram, and other federation officials praised the team’s valiant effort and congratulated the coaching staff including Akhtar Hussain Shah, Umair Imdad Bhatti, Zubair Wattoo, and Nadeem Sajjad Shah.

“This medal is not just a win-it’s a message that Pakistani women are making their mark in international arenas,” said Sadia Alvi.

In the event Pakistan was in Group A along with India, Sri Lanka and Iran while Group B consists of hosts Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Recalling Pakistan’s baseball history all has not been achieved abruptly rather it is after hard world and dedicated efforts of the pioneers of the game in the country .

Pakistan’s journey in baseball has been one of steady progress, with a history marked by perseverance and passion. While baseball was relatively unknown in the country at the time of its creation in 1947, overshadowed by popular sports such as cricket, hockey, and football, its presence gradually grew, establishing itself as a niche sport with a loyal following.

Over time, with dedication from individuals and organisations, baseball in Pakistan has emerged from obscurity to become a recognised sport both nationally and internationally.

Federation (PBF) in the late 1980s marked a turning point. Quetta-based cricket organizer Ijaz Yousuf (later Justice Ijaz Yousuf) and his brother Javed Yousuf were instrumental in the establishment of the federation. Simultaneously, in 1990, Federal Minister Faridullah Malik from FATA created a separate faction of the federation, supported by American diplomatic assistance in the form of baseball gear and equipment.

However, the existence of multiple baseball federations created confusion, with three rival bodies emerging. It was during this time that Khawar Shah, a passionate sportsman and Divisional Sports Officer in Gujranwala, took decisive steps to unify the federations. Alongside Farhat Hussain Siddiqui, the father of cricketing stars Humayun and Imran Farhat, Shah successfully convinced Malik Faridullah’s faction to merge with the federation he had formed under Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala, Mr. Lashari.

By 1992, a single unified Pakistan Baseball Federation emerged under the leadership of Khawar Shah, with its headquarters in Gujranwala. This laid the foundation for a more organised and cohesive baseball structure in the country.

The first National Baseball Championship was organized by the newly unified federation in 1992. Teams from across the country, including Islamabad Baseball Association, participated in the tournament. Notably, Islamabad’s team featured prominent national cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Azhar Mahmood, and Irfan Bhatti. This inaugural event marked the beginning of a new era for Pakistan baseball.

Khawar Shah’s dedication and relentless efforts helped the sport grow. He was instrumental in securing affiliations for the Pakistan Baseball Federation with the Pakistan Sports Board, the Pakistan Olympic Association, and international baseball bodies.

This allowed Pakistan’s players to compete in regional, international, and world baseball events, putting the country on the global baseball map.

Shah’s tireless work ensured that Pakistan baseball thrived despite limited resources. His dream was to see Pakistan’s flag fly high in international baseball arenas, and he worked diligently to achieve that goal.

Under Khawar Shah’s leadership and later under his son, Fakhar Shah, Pakistan’s baseball team began competing in major international events. Since 2003, the national team has been a regular participant in the Asian Baseball Championship, competing against top teams like Japan, Chinese Taipei, and South Korea. Though Pakistan faced challenges in these tournaments, they secured a respectable fifth position by defeating Indonesia in the 2015 Asian Baseball Championship.

Pakistan also holds the record for the most consecutive Asian Baseball Cup titles.

In 2015, Pakistan’s national team participated in the Asian Baseball Championship in Taiwan as the West Asian champion. The following year, the team made its debut in the World Baseball Classic qualification in New York.

With a strong foundation in place and the leadership of figures like Syed Fakhar Shah the future of baseball in Pakistan looks promising. The sport has come a long way from its humble beginnings, and as the federation continues to expand its efforts, the dream of seeing Pakistan as a dominant force in international baseball may soon become a reality.

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