LAHORE, Feb 16: Nine teams are taking part in the 18th National Baseball Championship, being held in two phases here at the Iqbal Park Sports Complex from Feb 17 to 23.

In the first phase which will be completed on Feb 20, provincial teams NWFP, Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh along with Islamabad and Navy will take part.

The winners of the first phase will qualify for the final round where defending champions Pakistan Army, Wapda and Police are included. The final of the second phase will be held on Feb 23.

Khawar Shah, Secretary Pakistan Baseball Federation (PBF), said top performers of the championship would be selected for the national training camp, starting from March 1, to select the national team for the Asia Cup to be held in Manila, Philippines from March 20 to 28.

Pakistan are defending champions of the Asia Cup, which they won in Islamabad in 2006.

The officials revealed that Pakistan were currently ranked 44 among the 125 baseball playing countries and added the PBF had set the target to include Pakistan in the top 25 countries in the next couple of years.

Schedule:

Feb 17: NWFP v Balochistan, Punjab v Sindh.

Feb 18: NWFP v Islamabad, Punjab v Navy.

Feb 19: Balochistan v Islamabad, Sindh v Navy.

Feb 20: Final (first phase).