KARACHI, July 16: Pakistan’s top cueist Saleh Muhammad will take on his own pupil Hisham Al Saqer of Bahrain in his first round league match in the Asian snooker championship in Bangkok, Thailand on July 24.

According to draws of the championship Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) received on Saturday from Asian Confederation of Billiards Sport (ACBS), the third seed Saleh will play against Hisham, whom he trained during his tenure as Bahrain coach.

Peshawar-based Saleh, who finished runner-up to Indian Pankaj Advani in the World championship in China two years ago, is among the favourites to lift his maiden crown.

Saleh is placed in Pool ‘C’ of the 21-nation contest with Ng Ann Seng (Malaysia), Cheung Chung Hin (Hong Kong), Susantha Boteju (Sri Lanka), Zaw Tun (Myanmar), Hesham Sager (Bahrain).

Former World and Asian champion Muhammad Yousuf seeded ninth in the 46-cuemen contest is drawn in Pool ‘G’ which has Chan Kowk Ming (Hong Kong), M Mustufa Shehab (UAE), Jung Tae-Hoon (Korea), Pharm Hoai Nam (Vietnam) and Wong Chan Keong (Macau).

Muhammad Yousuf will be up against John Loh of Malaysia in the afternoon session on July 24.

Reigning Asian champion Alok Kumar of India is pitted against Mehdi Rasekhi of Iran in his opening match the same day.

A short training camp has also been organised for the team to prepare it for the Asian event. It will commence at Karachi Club Billiards Hall from Monday. Saleh, who arrived here from Peshawar, had a training and practice session at KC Hall. Yousuf is already undergoing individual training sessions.

Draws:

July 24:  Saleh Muhammad vs Hisham Al Saqer (Bahrain), Muhammad Yousuf vs John Loh (Malaysia).