LAHORE: A two-member Pakistan baseball delegation will visit Iran from Jan 24 to 29 to inspect the arrangements being arranged by that country for hosting the 15th West Asia Baseball in July 2021.

President of Pakistan Federation Baseball president Fakhar Ali Shah along with PFB legal advisor Amaid Ali Kazmi are included in the delegation.

Fakhar, who is also a member at large of Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA), said the delegations from other participating countries, including India and Sri Lanka, were also invited by the Iran Baseball Federation.

The PFB president further said he would meet the delegation of India, Sri Lanka in Iran in order to get their consent on playing the Pakistan Baseball League (PBL) which he was planning to hold in September 2021.

“Verbally, players of India, Iran and Sri Lanka have given their green signal for their participation in the PBL,” Fakhar said. “If the government of Pakistan ensures the issuance of visa to Indian players then Pakistan will be the venue otherwise, either Malaysia, Qatar or the UAE could host the event.”

He said during the visit a meeting with Irani Sports Ministry and Iranian Olympic Association officials was also scheduled, focusing on the development of baseball in the region.

“Iran also expressed the desire to invite Pakistan’s baseball team for a joint training session before the West Asia Cup.”

Fakhar hoped the prevailing Covid-19 situation would improve by July next year and the event would be held successfully.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2020