Defending champions Japan will bid to extend their winning streak to 13 ©WBSC

Defending champions Japan will bid to extend their World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women’s Baseball World Cup winning streak to 13 matches when the 2016 edition of the tournament begins in Gijang in South Korea tomorrow.

The Japanese side, winners of the last four titles, have not suffered defeat at the competition since they were beaten 5-2 by the United States in an opening round contest in Edmonton in 2012.

Japan have held top spot in the rankings since 2008 and will come into the event as the favourites to earn a fifth consecutive crown.

They will be eager to continue their dominance when they go up against Canada, currently ranked at number four in the world, in their first match in Group B.

The Netherlands, ranked at number seven, and India are the other two teams in the group and they will both be keen to get off to the best possible start when they take to the field in the opening game of the tournament.

It is also set to be an historic day for Pakistan, who will make their first-ever appearance at the Women’s Baseball World Cup.

Pakistan have a tough welcome into the competition as they will face hosts South Korea in Group A.

The match is likely to draw a huge audience both in Pakistan and in the home nation, with broadcasting giants SBS, who have been named as the host broadcaster, due to show the contest live.

Pakistan are braced to make their Women's Baseball World Cup debut ©Facebook
Pakistan are braced to make their Women's Baseball World Cup debut ©Facebook

Baseball Pakistan President told the Associated Press of Pakistan that he expects good results at the event, due to conclude with the final on September 11.

The Asian country have been drawn in a group with world number five ranked Cuba and Venezuela.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Hong Kong go up against the United States and Chinese Taipei take on Australia in the two matches in Group C.

The top two teams from each four-nation group will advance to compete against each other in the super round.

The sides who finish in the top two in the super round will then progress to the final, with the third and fourth placed countries battling for the bronze medal.

Free global live streaming will be available outside of territories covered by the broadcasting agreements, with fans able to watch here.

Twitter-owned SnappyTV will share action and instant replays from live broadcasts, in cooperation with WBSC's broadcast partners, with the aim of stimulating social media sharing and discussion.

Fan favourite highlights will be produced and video-on-demand will be available to worldwide audiences through WBSC's official social media platforms, following the conclusion of each match.