DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Baseball United officially opens its inaugural season this week, marketed throughout the region as Season One. The league begins its first full schedule on November 14 with Karachi facing Mumbai at Baseball United Ballpark. The season will run through December 7, followed by the United Series from December 12-14 to crown the first Baseball United champion.
Each of the four franchises — the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves, and Mid East Falcons — will play 12 regular-season games. The Wolves and Falcons will close the schedule with a two-game series on December 6-7, a rematch of their February exhibition. Rosters across the league have been updated ahead of opening day as Baseball United continues to expand its international player pool.
Baseball United CEO and co-founder Kash Shaikh speaks to journalists ahead of the league’s inaugural season at the new Barry Larkin Field in Ud al-Bayda outside of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Baseball United Co-Founder and CEO Kash Shaikh has been in Dubai throughout launch week, overseeing final preparations and welcoming teams to the Emirates. Shaikh announced Ford, through Al Tayer Motors, as the Official Automotive Partner of the inaugural season. Ford vehicles will be featured at Baseball United Ballpark throughout the season.
Shaikh’s updates on social media have shown Monarchs players arriving in Dubai, early practices for all four clubs, and Hall of Famer Barry Larkin supporting league operations during opening week.
The Mumbai Cobras, founded in 2023 as the first professional baseball team in India, remain a focal point of the league’s expansion into South Asia. Mumbai selected right-handed pitcher Karan Patel with the first overall pick in the league’s inaugural draft, then signed six players of Indian descent ahead of the 2025 season.
Manager Mariano Duncan leads one of the league’s most diverse rosters, representing India, the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Curaçao, Sweden, Germany, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Aruba.
Mumbai and Karachi will open the league’s inaugural season with three straight games.
Baseball United enters its first season with a complete visual identity across all four franchises. The league’s partnership with Arrieta — the Mexico-based uniform manufacturer with long-standing ties to LMB, the Mexican Pacific League, and LIDOM — includes all on-field apparel and the full merchandise line.
Mumbai Cobras Official On-Field Home Jersey
Mumbai Cobras’ “Super Six” — Saurabh Gaikwad, Karan Patel, Akshay More, Tushar Lalwani, Raul Shah, and Aaron Singh — will lead India’s first professional baseball franchise as Baseball United begins its inaugural season on November 14 in Dubai.
Karachi Monarchs’ “Fantastic Four” — Muhammad Zohaib, Musharaf Khan, Muhammad Hussain, and Pierce Khan — headline Pakistan’s first professional baseball franchise as Baseball United begins its inaugural season on November 14 in Dubai.
At shop.baseballunited.com, fans can purchase official on-field jerseys, alternate V-necks, kids’ jerseys, active caps, and dugout shirts for every franchise. The merchandise reflects each club’s established identity, including Mumbai’s yellow-and-black, Karachi’s blue-and-gold, Arabia’s desert tones, and the Mid East Falcons’ green-and-white.
World Baseball Network will report on any additional merchandise available inside Baseball United Ballpark during the month-long schedule.
World Baseball Network is on the ground in Dubai for the full duration of the inaugural season. Coverage will include stadium presentation, apparel availability, game operations, fan turnout, and daily results.
Baseball United co-owners Elvis Andrus and Adrián Beltré attend the league’s VIP Reception in Dubai ahead of Opening Week. The two former Major League All-Stars are part of Baseball United’s global ownership group. (View Post)
Baseball United’s inaugural season marks an important step for the growth of the sport, combining new partnerships, global ownership, and an expanded branding and merchandise platform across the Middle East and South Asia.
Photo: Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai ahead of Opening Week, where World Baseball Network is on site to cover the league’s inaugural season.
