27 October 2004	Wednesday	12 Ramazan 1425

HONG KONG, Oct 26: Pakistan will be making its debut in international rugby on Wednesday when it takes on Sri Lanka in 19th Asian rugby tournament.

The biennial tournament will feature 12 teams split into three tiers vying for cup, plate and bowl championships.

Pakistan is in bowl competition along with Sri Lanka, India and China.

The winner of Pakistan-Sri Lanka match faces winner of India-China match for bowl title on Saturday.

"It is good to see countries like Pakistan and India playing rugby. We are trying to push the game in Asia and it is encouraging that these countries are making an effort," said Jarrad Gallagher, International Rugby Board's regional development manager for Asia.

Although rugby has been played in Pakistan since 1926, it was for a long time a game exclusively for expatriates.

That has changed in recent years with Pakistan Rugby Union being established in 2000 and becoming a member of Asian Rugby Football Union.

South Korea, which is defending Asian champion, is pooled with regional powerhouse Japan, Taiwan and host Hong Kong in top tier Cup competition.-PPI