LAHORE, April 25: Squads of Sri Lanka and Iran will arrive in the city in next two days to take part in the three-nation badminton tournament, starting at the Government Science College from Saturday.

The tournament, carrying $2,500 prize money, will conclude on Monday.

Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) president Lt Gen Mohammad Akram said at a press conference on Wednesday that the Sri Lankan squad comprised five players including three brothers — Edirimuni Niluka Rushan Perera, Nishan Perera and Tushan Perera — and four officials. The others two players are Sameera Sadakalum and Amushak Lakshan Silva.

The Iranian's squad consists of Gholamreza Bagheri, Omid Karami, Jalal Eskandari, Ali Shahhosseini and three officials.

The PBF president said Pakistan had defeated Sri Lanka in 2004 in the SAF Games at Islamabad but lost to them in its next edition at Colombo. Similarly, Pakistan had recently defeated Iran in the Al-Fajar Cup.

He said Pakistan named national champion Ahsan Qamar as captain in place of Wajid Ali since Ahsan had dethroned Wajid in the last national championship.

Other players of the Pakistan squad are Zeeshan Umar, Rizwan Azam, Mohammad Attiq Chaudhry, Tahir Ishaq, Rizwan Rana and Shabbar Hussain.

Liaqat Ali had been named as the coach while Imtiaz Gill is manager of the team.

He said all the players will move to Islamabad soon after conclusion of the tournament to participate in the Satellite Tournament at the Liaquat Gymnasium.

PBF secretary Aamir Hayat Rokhri said Pakistan was sending three under-19 boys and one girl to China for one-month training.