UD AL-BAYDA, United Arab Emirates — Karachi opened Baseball United’s first full regular season with a dramatic 6-4 comeback win Friday night, scoring five runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Mumbai Cobras at Baseball United Ballpark at the Sevens Stadium Complex.
Before first pitch, Baseball United Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder Kash Shaikh thanked fans, investors, and partners for their support across the league’s multi-year buildup. Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Adrian Beltre joined Robinson Chirinos and Elvis Andrus for a pregame ceremony honoring their roles as early investors and co-founders in the league’s launch across Dubai, Lahore, and Mumbai.
Kash Shaikh Talks Baseball United Opening Night In Dubai With World Baseball Network
Karachi used starter Mark Simon and relievers Isaac Milburn, Alex Dubord, and Enrique Burgos, who combined for 12 strikeouts and held Mumbai to four earned runs across nine innings. Mumbai countered with Karan Patel, Dylan Spain, Chandler Woolridge, Jacob Hasty, and Akeel Morris, who struck out 13 and allowed five earned runs.
In the top of the first inning, Karachi third baseman Pavin Parks homered on the first pitch of the game, sending Patel’s fastball over the right-field wall for the first regular-season run in Baseball United history.
In the first ever pitch in a regular season game in Baseball United history, Pavin Parks goes deep! pic.twitter.com/ZYb5QSfSxK
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Mumbai responded immediately in the second when Lou Helmig launched a two-run home run to right, scoring Raul Shah for a 2-1 lead. The Cobras extended their advantage in the fifth when center fielder Cade McNeely lifted a ground-rule double to right-center, misplayed by Jose Acosta, allowing designated runner Victor Vahlberg to score for a 3-1 margin.
Former Phillies prospect from Germany, Lou Helmig, with a two run dinger for Mumbai! pic.twitter.com/wjNrSkQpVb
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Mumbai added another run in the eighth when Lord De Vera bounced an infield single off second baseman Juremi Profar’s glove, scoring McNeely for a 4-1 lead.
Lord Aragorn De Vera with an RBI single and Mumbai leads 4-1! pic.twitter.com/wk6GG9Yoym
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Karachi’s offense stayed quiet until the ninth, when everything flipped.
Leading off with the money ball in effect, Parks blasted his second home run of the night, a two-run shot to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Pavin Parks with his second home run of the game and this time with the money ball! It’s a one run game in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/a4KyEV9fvp
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Isaac Nunez singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored the tying run when Max Jung-Goldberg was hit by a pitch with the money ball active, moving two bases to bring in the 4-4 run.
Per Baseball United rules, Max Jung-Goldberg is HBP with the money ball and all runners advance two bases and it’s tied at 4 in the 9th! pic.twitter.com/SSXf7mggib
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Moments later, Pierce Khan lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Jung-Goldberg to give Karachi a 5-4 lead. Eric Meza then scored on a wild pitch during Karim Ayubi’s at-bat to extend the lead to 6-4.
Enrique Burgos entered in the bottom of the ninth and struck out Aaron Singh swinging to close the door on the first regular-season victory in Baseball United history.
Enrique Burgos with a strikeout to end it and the Karachi Monarchs score 5 in the 9th to get the first ever regular season win in Baseball United history! pic.twitter.com/MNa5yRwxmu
— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) November 14, 2025
Karachi improved to 1-0 and continues its three-game opening series against Mumbai on November 14 at 8 p.m. GST / 11 a.m. EST on https://www.youtube.com/@baseballunited and https://www.baseballunited.com/.
Karachi’s offense was led by Parks, who finished 2-for-2 with two home runs, three RBI, two walks, and three runs scored. Nunez added a single and scored the tying run. Jung-Goldberg scored the go-ahead run. Khan drove in the late go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly. Meza scored a key insurance run on a wild pitch.
Milburn threw four innings with six strikeouts. Burgos earned the save.
Mumbai’s offense featured Helmig’s two-run home run, McNeely’s RBI double and two walks, and Brantley Bell’s two hits. Woolridge struck out six across two perfect innings.
Third baseman Pavin Parks said the night felt bigger than baseball.
“Super exciting. Groundbreaking. Something I’m really excited to be a part of.”
Shortstop Isaac Nunez said the moment showed how far the league had come.
“He’s changed the game. To be here in Dubai, in the Middle East — he’s given us the opportunity to be here and play in front of potentially a billion people.”
Outfielder Karim Ayubi called it the highlight of his career.
“It’s an honor. This is my best experience in baseball right now.”
Infielder Jake Perez said the moment hit him the second he stepped on the field.
“It’s an amazing experience. A big opportunity for all of us.”
Since 2022, Baseball United has expanded ownership to include Ronald Acuna Jr., Starling Marte, Luis Severino, Didi Gregorius, Andrelton Simmons, Robinson Cano, Bartolo Colon, Robinson Chirinos, Nick Swisher, Felix Hernandez, Albert Pujols, Elvis Andrus, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Barnes, Shane Victorino, and Adrian Beltre.
The league hosted the West Asia Cup in Pakistan and has built broadcast and development partnerships stretching from Dubai to Lahore and Mumbai.
https://www.baseballunited.com/about
Co-Founder, CEO, Chairman Of The Board – Kash Shaikh
Co-Founder, Executive VP, Vice Chairman Of The Board – John P. Miedreich
Co-Founder, Senior VP, Board Member – Barry Larkin
Co-Founder, Board Member – Mariano Rivera
Board Member – Adrian Beltre
Board Member – Robinson Chirinos
The full broadcast of the first game in Baseball United history can be viewed via Baseball United on YouTube.
