ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – Pakistan which currently stands at 21st spot in the IBAF World Baseball Rankings is on the edge to qualify for the very first time in the history for the 2016 Baseball World Cup to be held in either Japan or Taiwan.
Baseball coach Ahsan Bilal said according to the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) top 20 ranked teams are entitled to play in the World Cup. “Currently Pakistan is ranked 21st in the rankings and just needs one win against China (20th) to qualify for the WC,” he said.
He said Pakistan will be participating in the Asian Baseball Champion to be held at Taiwan in September and in this championship we have to win a match against China to qualify for the WC. “Besides Pakistan and China other teams to chip in the event include Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong,” he said.
He said the camp for the said event is underway in Lahore and a total of 40 players are called for training.
“As many as 22 players will be shortlisted from the camp to participate in the event,” he said adding 5 officials will also be accompanying the team for the event.
Speaking about the team’s accomplishments, he said Pakistan baseball team participated in the Robur 58 baseball Series 2015 at the Netherlands last month.
“Pakistan squads lead by coach Ahsan and Musadiq hanif preformed outstandingly well against European teams in this Series,” he said adding Pakistan got the 4th position in 10 teams.
He said Pakistan beat the Dutch team by 5-3 and beat European team by 9-1. “Pakistani batter Burhan Johar was declared the best batter in this series. Best pitcher was Pakistan’s Adil Sardar,” he said adding first time in the history, Pakistan team beat European teams in Netherlands.
