LAHORE: Pakistan will play the second International Baseball Federation U-12 World Cup to be held in Chinese Taipei from July 18 to 28.

Pakistan have been placed in group ‘B’ of the event. Besides Pakistan, other countries in group ‘B’ include the US, Venezuela, Brazil, South Korea, Panama, Nigeria and Russia.

Group ‘A’ comprises Mexico, Japan, Italy, Colombia, Czech Republic, India and Hong Kong.

Pakistan Federation Baseball (PFB) secretary Syed Khawar Shah termed the U-12 team’s participation (through qualification) in the mega event a great achievement and honour for Pakistan.

“Their participation will certainly give our [U-12] players a great opportunity to show their talent against the world’s toughest teams,” Khawar said.He said the PFB had been making strenuous efforts to promote baseball across the country, which had resulted in Pakistan attaining 23rd world ranking out of a total of 124 countries.

“Pakistan have also achieved sixth ranking at the Asian level, which a very few [sports] federations in the country have been able to achieve,” he reckoned.

“In order to field a strong team in the World Cup, where Pakistan will be participating for the first time, open trials will be held at a private school on May 30. After the trials, 25 boys will be selected for a 40-day training camp under the supervision of qualified coaches,” the PFB official said, adding that final trials will be held on July 15.

Aspirants born during or after the year 2001 are eligible to take part in the trials. As per the International Baseball Federation rule parents are allowed to accompany their children at their own expenses.

Interested players may contact on 0322-4803824, 0321-4997070, 042-35711828 and send their names for entries until May 25.