Pakistan's squad includes Asian number two Muhammad Sajjad, Imran Shehzad, Sohail Shahzad, Shahram Changezi and Khurram Agha.

Alamgir Shaikh will be the chief-de-mission and Shoaib Alam Khan will be the manager of the team. Shabbir Daruwala has been appointed as the referee for the games by Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports.

“We have selected the best possible combination on basis of recent performances and current form,” PBSA chief Alamgir Anwar Shaikh told reporters while announcing the team at Karachi Club.

PBSA Vice President Jawed Karim, secretary Munawar Shaikh and other officials were also present on the occasion.

“If our players played to their potential, they are quite capable of striking medals in singles and team event,” he hoped.

Pakistan failed to win medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games but they won two bronze medals in 2002 at the Asian Games in Busan and bagged their maiden gold through England-based Pakistani Shaukat Ali in 1998's Asian Games in Bangkok.

He said though Khurram slipped to below 16 in the national ranking after missing the previous national ranking because of a coaching assignment in Qatar he had a good international track record.

He said besides China and Thailand, they may face challenge from India and some gulf countries in  a bid for medals.

Alamgir Shaikh expressed his disappointment over non issuance of NOC to Indian coach Sanjay Sawant to supervise the training and preparations of the Pakistani team for Asian Games and World Championship.

Shoaib Alam will now be supervising the training of Pakistan team which opens in Islamabad from October 15.

He said PBSA had no plans of hiring former world and Asian Champion Muhammad Yousuf.

 “We respect Yousuf as a player,” he said.

However he said they are ready to send Muhammad Yousuf  to IBSF World Senior Championship if he was interested. -APP