KARACHI, Dec 11: A five-member Indian snooker squad including world amateur champion Pankaj Advani is due on Dec 16 for three-match Indo-Pak Peace Snooker Series to be played at Karachi Club Billiards Hall from Dec 17 to 20.

This will be first major breakthrough in resumption of sporting ties between two neighboring countries, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) President Ali Asghar Valika, said on Thursday.

Besides Advani, Yasin Merchant, two times former Asian Champion , Alok Kumar and Mannan Chandra are the other members of Indian team. Former World Billiards Champion Michael Ferreira will be the manager-cum -coach of the team.

Pakistan team includes former world and Asian Champion Muhammad Yousuf, 2003 World Championship runner-up Saleh Muhammad, Pakistan number one Khurram Hussain Agha and Pakistan number four Naveen Perwani.

Asghar Valika said PBSA Secretary Aspi Mavalwala has been appointed as Tournament Director while PBSA Vice-President Shahnawaz Khan will be heading referee committee which also included Shabbir Daruwala and Rafiq Khan.

A press briefing to introduce Pakistan and Indian teams will be held at Karachi Club on Dec 17 at 12.30 P.M.

Besides the series, Pankaj Advani will be playing a best of seven frame contest against Pakistan’s top cueists in between the series.—APP