KARACHI: Pakistan snooker team will undertake a weeklong visit to Iran in March next year for a reciprocal series between the two countries, a top official of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) said on Sunday.

“My Iranian counterpart has extended the formal invitation on the sidelines of world snooker championship which concluded in Damascus recently,” president PBSA, Alamgir Shaikh, told Dawn .

The invitation, he added, covers the return airfare, boarding/lodging of at least five cueists and an official besides launch of running trophy.

He said the Iranian team will make a return visit to Pakistan sometime in 2013.

The PBSA chief disclosed that Iran had shown interest in Pakistan's domestic format and ranking system and have sought guidance in this regard.

“We will be sending them their requirements in next few days to foster the cordial relations,” he added.

Alamgir, who attended the general body meeting of International Billiards and Snooker Association (IBSF), said Bahrain will play host to the 2011 world championship while Egypt will stage the event in 2012.

He said the general body also unanimously elected office bearers for the next term of two years.

Expressing satisfaction on the performance of Imran Shahzad and Sohail Shahzad in the event he said the former was knocked out by Malta's Alex Borg 5-1 in pre quarter-final (last 16) while the latter made his exit in last 32 round after getting 5-3 drubbing at the hands of Thailand's Noppadol Sangnil.

He claimed that both the matches could have ended in favour of Pakistani cueists had they played cautiously and not lost their concentration.

Regarding Asian No 2 Mohammad Sajjad's performance the PBSA official said he (Sajjad) played below his original form despite making it to the last 16 and disappointed the followers back home.

He lauded the arrangements made at the venue and team's hotel in the Syrian capital.