KARACHI, Aug 31: World amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif faces Thailand’s Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm in his opening match of the Sangsom 6-Red world snooker championship on Monday. The event runs from Sept 2 to 7 at Bangkok.

A two-member Pakistan team leaves for the Thai capital in the wee hours of Sunday to feature in the event. Asian under-21 runner-up Mohammad Majid Ali is the other player who will represent the country. They will be accompanied by international referee Shabbir Hussain.

Both the cueists have been extended special invitation by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) respectively.

According to draws made available here, 48 cueists have been equally drawn in the eight groups. Majid is placed in group F while Asif has been drawn in group H.

Four players from each group will qualify for the last 32 round on completion of the group matches.

Following are the groups of Pakistani players.

Group F: Stephen Maguire (Scotland), Matthew Stevens (Wales), Ken Doherty (Ireland), Alex Borg (Malta), Mohammad Majid Ali (Pakistan) and Ratchayothin Yotharak (Thailand).

Group H: Rick Walden (England), Barry Hawkins (England), Steve Davis (England), Mohammad Asif (Pakistan), Saleh Mohammad (Afghanistan) and Ratchapol Pu-Ob-Orm (Thailand).