KARACHI, June 20 Three cueists including two former national champions — all from Sindh — have surged into top eight of national ranking released by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) after the NBP Ranking Snooker championship which concluded in the city earlier this month.

Those who were able to earn a place include former national champion Khurram Agha (5th), another former national champion Naveen Perwani (7th) and Vishan Gir (8th).

The three players who were relegated are Imran Shehzad, Rambel Gul and Sultan Mohammad.

Former national champion Mohammad Sajjad of Punjab who thrashed province-mate Raees Khan 8-3 to land the NBP Ranking Snooker title jumped to the top pushing Mohammad Asif to third place. Raees who was earlier lying third took a leap to claim second position. NWFP's Sharjeel Mehmood retained his fourth slot.

The top eight players will be entitled to earn monthly stipend under slab system for three months until the third ranking tournament of the year.

According to format, the top ranked cueist gets Rs8,000, No 2 Rs7,000 and 3rd to 8th Rs5,000 apiece.

Top eight rankings

1-Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab), 2-Raees Khan (Punjab), 3-Mohammad Asif (Punjab), 4-Sharjeel Mehmood (NWFP), 5-Khurram Agha (Sindh), 6-Inamur Rehman (NWFP), 7-Naveen Perwani (Sindh), 8-Vishan Gir (Sindh).—

Sports Reporter