KARACHI, July 18: Asjad Iqbal of Punjab, who had an impressive run last year, will defend his crown when the third NBP Ranking Snooker Championship cues off at the Karachi Club from Wednesday.

Placed ninth in the latest national rankings, Asjad first finished runner-up to Mohammad Sajjad in the 35th national’s and then went on to beat Mohammad Asif to win the NBP crown last year. He had also featured in the Asian under-21 snooker in the Indian city of Indore.

The event, second of the year, marks resumption of domestic circuit after five months layoff the last event being the 36th nationals held in February.

The details of the event were announced at a press conference held at the Karachi Club on Monday which was addressed, among others, by Patron of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Asghar Valika, president PBSA, Alamgir Shaikh, sports chief of National Bank, Iqbal Qasim, Karachi Club officials Yousuf Suleman and Shahnawaz Khan. Gulfaraz Khan of NBP was also present on the occasion.

It sounds strange that the name of two-time former national champion, Mohammad Sajjad, who is presently placed third in the NR, appears in draws, despite the fact that he has stayed back in Thailand after competing in the Snooker World Cup to defend his title in the Korat Cup, a Thai national ranking event.

In addition, Sindh and Punjab junior champions — Bilawal Agha and Hamza Akbar — have come in place of dropouts Shahram Changezi and Kamran Shah.

Alamgir applauded the role of sponsors for setting aside a sum of Rs800,000 for the annual event which include a total prize money of Rs150,000.

According to prize money break-up, the winner will earn Rs60,000 while the runner-up receives Rs35,000. The losing semi-finalists would get Rs15,000 apiece and the losing quarter-finalists Rs5,000 each. Player who chalks up the highest break will be awarded Rs5,000.

Alamgir described Pakistan’s performance in Snooker World Cup at Bangkok as ‘satisfactory’.

“Pakistan could have sailed into quarter-finals had they beat Egypt 4-1 instead of 3-2,” he added.

He said Republic of Ireland progressed to last eight by one frame difference with Pakistan.

The PBSA chief thanked Karachi Club, sponsors and media for their support towards promoting the game in difficult times.

Speaking on the occasion, former Test cricketer, Iqbal Qasim, who heads the NBP Sports, said his institutions relationship with the baize game was flourishing and has entered third year.

It is pertinent to mention that Sajjad was given employment after he won the inaugural edition of the NBP Cup two years back and later did his institution proud by finishing runner-up in Asian Snooker besides capturing the Korat Cup last year.

The weeklong event concludes on July 27.

Pools:

Group ‘A’: Shahid Aftab (Punjab), Abdul Sattar (Sindh), Qasim Kamani (Sindh), Hamza Akbar (Punjab).Group ‘B’: Imran Shehzad (Punjab), Ayaz Khan (Punjab), Farhan Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Bilawal Agha (Sindh).Group ‘C’: Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab), Nauman Awan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Imran (Punjab), Abdul Rehman (Balochistan).Group ‘D’: Sultan Mohammad (Sindh), Umair Alam (Sindh), Zahoor Ahmed (Balochistan), M. Naeem Jaffer (Balochistan).Group ‘E’: Sohail Shahzad (Sindh), Mohammad Javed (Punjab), Sharjeel Mahmood (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Faisal Kashmiri (Sindh).Group ‘F’: Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Rambel Gul (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Rashid Mahmood Abbasi (Punjab), Arshad Siddiq (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).Group ‘G’: M. Asif Toba (Punjab), Mohammad Yousuf (Sindh), Shah Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Hameedullah (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).Group ‘H’: Mohammad Asif (Punjab), Asjad Iqbal (Punjab), Imran Qamar (Punjab), Khurram Agha (Sindh).