KARACHI, Jan 27: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has decided to hold the 32nd edition of the National snooker championship at the Karachi Gymkhana Billiards Hall instead of Islamabad.

“We have decided to shift the event back to Karachi because of preparations of March 23 parade in Islamabad,” PBSA chief Asghar Valika said on Saturday.

48 cueists representing all the four provinces of the country will be taking part in the ten-day competition starting from March 1.

Khurram Agha of Sindh will defend his crown in the Rs204,000 event.

Valika said that Pakistan will play a series against India in New Delhi from March 17.

A five-member Pakistan team will be picked for the series. He said both the winner and the runner-up of the national championship will be selected automatically in the team, while the PBSA will select remaining players on the basis of their performance.—APP