KARACHI, June 13: Defending champion Saleh Mohammad would have to overcome stiff challenge from other seeded players in the quest to retain his title when the Rs1,58,000 10th Style ranking snooker tournament gets into action at the Karachi Gymkhana from Friday.

Saleh who was knocked out by eventual champion Khurram Agha in the semifinal of the 31st National championship in March has been seeded fourth and drawn in group “D” alongside Salman Shaikh, Arshad Siddiq and Mohammad Akhlas.

Khurram who reclaimed No 1 ranking after capturing maiden national title has been top seeded and placed in group “A” which includes Irfan Rasheed Khan, Raja Rashid and Mohammad Riaz.

He proved that his victory was not a flash in a pan when he added another feather to his cap by winning the Pakistan Cue Masters last month.

Second seed Imran Shahzad, the losing finalist of the national’s, has been pitted against Mohammad Asif, Minhas Malik and Mohammad Baqar in group “B” while third seed Abu Saim tops group “C” which has Imran Qamar, Farhan Noor and Danish Karim.

The contest which runs from June 16 to 21 would see top 32 cueists vying for honours.

According to prize money break up, the winner would receive a cash prize of Rs50,000 while the runners up would earn Rs30,000.

The players have been equally drawn in eights groups.

Groups:

“A”: Khurram Agha (Sindh), Irfan Rasheed Khan (Sindh), Raja Rashid (Pun), Mohammad Riaz (Sindh).

“B”: Imran Shahzad (Pun), Mohammad Asif (Pun), Minhas Malik (Sindh), Mohammad Baqar (Sindh).

“C”: Abu Saim (Pun), Imran Qamar (Pun), Farhan Noor (Pun), Danish Karim (Sindh).

“D”: Saleh Mohammad (NWFP), Salman Shaikh (Sindh), Arshad Siddiq (NWFP), Mohammad Akhlas (Sindh).

“E”: Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Jawed Ansari (Sindh), Syed Mesam Zaidi (Sindh), Mehmood Khan (Bal).

“F”: Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Atiq Latif Bux (Sindh), Kamran Razzak (Sindh), Tahir Rasheed (Pun).

“G”: Rambel Gul (NWFP), Raees Khan (Pun), Saqib Butt (Pun), Mohammad Sharif (Pun).

“H”: Vishan Gir (Sindh), Mohammad Yousuf (Sindh), M. Imtiaz Tipu (Pun), Mohammad Sadiq (Pun).