KARACHI, Aug 20: Punjab’s Imran Shehzad, who surged to top slot in the latest national rankings, will start his campaign when he meets Sindh Cup champion Irfan Rasheed Khan in the opening session of the 15th AKD Snooker Cup at Karachi Club on Monday.

Imran made it to two of the three finals of ranking tournaments earlier this year. First he went down to Khurram Agha 3-6 in the nationals and then suffered 5-6 defeat at the hands of Yousuf in Style ranking tournament.

Drawn in Group ‘A’, he plays his second match of the day against Mesam Zaidi.

Reigning national champion and second ranked Khurram is pitted against Imran Qamar in the opener and faces Vishan Gir in the next encounter in Group ‘B’.

Defending champion Abu Saim is also placed in the same group.

Former world champion and third seed Mohammad Yousuf, who ended his two-year title jinx by capturing the Style snooker title two months ago, is drawn to meet Raees Khan and Saqib Butt in the two Group ‘C’ matches.

Fourth seed Naveen Perwani is slated against Imtiaz Tipu and Mohammad Asif in the Group ‘D’.

A total of 16 matches will be played on the opening day of the five-day competition.

Monday’s fixtures:

Imran Shehzad v Irfan Rasheed Khan; Khurram Agha v Imran Qamar; Salman Shaikh v Syed Mesam Zaidi; Abu Saim v Vishan Gir at 10.00am.

Mohammad Yousuf v Raees Khan; Naveen Perwani v M. Imtiaz Tipu; Rambel Gul v Saqib Butt; Sohail Shehzad v Mohammad Asif at 12.00pm.

Imran Shehzad v Syed Mesam Zaidi; Khurram Agha v Vishan Gir; Salman Shaikh v Irfan Rasheed Khan; Abu Saim v Imran Qamat at 2.00pm.

Mohammad Yousuf v Saqib Butt; Naveen Perwani v Mohamad Asif; Rambel Gul v Raees Khan; Sohail Shehzad v M. Imtiaz Tipu at 4.00pm.