May 25, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 26, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, May 24: The All-Pakistan Bridge Tournament with superstar Zia Mahmood on show is due to begin at the Islamabad Club on Friday, organisers said on Wednesday.

Zia, who has the rare distinction of representing both Pakistan and the United States at different times at world championships, will be flying in from London.

Sarwar Ahmed Khan, secretary of the Islamabad Club Bridge Committee and convener Saeed Akhtar told a news conference that the tournament will be the highest-prized competition in Pakistan.

Tariq Aces, who will have Zia teaming up for them, are the hot favourites to land the title.

Tariq Aziz is likely to pair with Zia while Javed Khalid and Saeed Akhtar, who have a good track record, are also the members of the team.

National champions Candyland will have to bring in all resolve to make up for a dismal performance at the 2005 BEFAME Championship, to have a crack at the title.

Allanas, with Jan-e-Alam Fazli, the only world master in this part of the world, are also strong contenders. Besides them, the Giants from Karachi are a force to be reckoned with.

Also capable of making an impression are teams like Data Steel, Aces and Punters from Lahore.

Officials said that matches in the tournament will be played on Swiss movement basis where the teams will be selected randomly in the first round to play against each other.

Thereafter the highest scoring team will play against the second highest scorer and so on.