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.

When Pakistan gained independence, the game of baseball was unfamiliar to most people. However, it was played in select missionary schools, particularly in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. Over time, the sport spread to public schools in Sindh, Bahawalpur, and Abbottabad, with institutions like Burn Hall and Abbottabad Public School (formerly Pakistan Railways Public School) introducing students to the game. By the late 1950s, a basic understanding of baseball had taken root in these regions.

A significant milestone in the early history of baseball in Pakistan came when Khawaja Muhammad Aslam, head of the Pakistan Railways Sports Department, initiated Railways Inter-Division Baseball and Softball Tournaments. This effort played a crucial role in sustaining interest in the sport at the grassroots level.

The formation of the Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBF) in the late 1980s marked a turning point. Quetta-based cricket organiser Ijaz Yousuf (later Justice Ijaz Yousuf) and his brother Javed Yousuf were instrumental in the establishment of the federation.

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 cricketers 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 organised by the newly unified federation in 1992. Teams from across the country, including Islamabad Baseball Association, participated in the tournament.

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.

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 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 competed in two editions of the Asian Games (2010 and 2014), achieving their biggest win with a 25-0 victory against Mongolia in Seoul. Although they have not won the tournament, Pakistan’s performance in the West Asia Baseball Cup has been dominant. Since the tournament’s inception, Pakistan have consistently been among the top three, the only team to do so.

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

Recognising the importance of expanding the sport’s reach, the Pakistan Baseball Federation made significant efforts to develop women’s baseball.

In 2016, Pakistan’s women’s baseball team debuted at the World Championship in South Korea, ranking sixth in Asia out of 15 teams. The federation’s efforts to promote women’s participation in baseball have been crucial in ensuring the sport’s future growth in the country.

The Pakistan Baseball Federation also launched a youth development programme in 2017, focusing on training young players from FATA. Twenty players were selected for specialised training at the Pakistan Youth Baseball Academy, reflecting the federation’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Pakistan’s baseball journey, though filled with challenges, has seen consistent progress. In 2023, Pakistan were ranked 38th in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, a testament to the efforts of the Pakistan Baseball Federation and its dedicated leadership. The federation is now preparing to host the West Asia Baseball Cup, further solidifying Pakistan’s status as a force in regional baseball.

With a strong foundation in place and the leadership of figures like Fakhar Shah and Executive Director Moazzam Khan Klair, 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, the dream of seeing Pakistan as a dominant force in international baseball may soon become a reality.