KARACHI, Aug 16: Saleh Muhammad, who won the last two national ranking events has been drawn in tough pool “B” for the 16th edition of Latif Masters Snooker Championship being staged at Karachi Club Billiards Hall from Sept 16-21.

According to draws released by Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) Friday, 16 top cueists from across the country will be featuring in the six-day contest which carries richest ever purse of Rs. 240,000 on the national circuit.

Saleh, who finished third in the world championship in China six years ago is looking to complete hat trick at national level, having lifted the Style Ranking and Red and White Cup titles.

NWFP’s Saleh is drawn with former World and Asian Champion and arch rival Muhammad Yousuf (Sindh), Former Asian Junior number two Farhan Mirza (Punjab) and talented players like Atiq Latif Bakhsh (Sindh), Amit Parwani (Sindh), Shakeel Bhatti (Sindh), M.Faiq Malik and Fahad Asif both from Punjab.

Top seeded and Pakistan number one Khurram Hussain Agha of Sindh is placed in pool “A”with Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Imran Shahzad (Punjab), Minhas Malik (Sindh) Arifullah (NWFP), Vishan Gir (Sindh), Ahmer Shaikh (Sindh) and Muhammad Nazir (Punjab).

After four-day round robin league activity two top cueists from each pool will progress in the semi finals which will be played on Sept 20 while the final will be contested on Sept 21.

The league matches will be best of the seven frames, semi final will be played over best of 11 frames while the final will be a best of 13 frame tie.

A winner purse of Rs 100,000 be at stake with runner-up taking home Rs 60,000. Losing semi finalist will also be getting Rs 25,000 each.—APP