KARACHI, Sept 27 Reigning national champion Mohammad Sajjad who took a big leap by capturing Korat Cup in Thailand recently, should live up to his top billing when the Del Monte Snooker Cup, third ranking event of the PBSA calendar, begins at Karachi Club on Tuesday.
This will be Sajjad's first appearance at home after crowning the glory that was preceded by his making it to final of Asian Snooker Championship, also in Thailand.
The Sargodha-born cueist recaptured the national crown disposing off his pupil Asjad Iqbal 8-2 in the final of the 35th National championship but made unceremonious exit in the semi-final of second NBP Snooker Cup at Islamabad.
Asjad overcame Mohammad Asif 8-5 in the final to lift the NBP Snooker Cup.
Sajjad, who heads group 'B' opens his campaign when he meets Nauman Awan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) at 12noon. He is pitted against Shahram Changezi in the second match at 4.00pm.
Asjad tops group 'A' and faces Rambel Gul of the KPK in the opening session at 10.00am. He meets Sindh's Abdul Sattar in the second match at 2.00pm.
According to format, top 16 players have been equally drawn into two groups.
Group 'A' comprised Asjad Iqbal, Imran Shehzad, Sohail Shehzad, Mohammad Asif, Umair Alam, Qasim Kamani, Abdul Sattar and Rambel Gul.
Group 'B' includes Mohammad Sajjad, Mohammad Asif Toba, Imran Qamar, Mohammad Javed, Sharjeel Mehmood, Sultan Mohammad, Shahram Changezi and Nauman Awan.
The qualifying rounds which conclude on Friday will be of best of seven frames. The best of 11 frames semi-finals will be played on Saturday while the final to be played on best of 15 frames is slated for Sunday.
After completion of league, top two players from the two groups will advance to the semi-finals.
The event carries a total purse of Rs105,000 with winner getting Rs50,000 and runner up Rs30,000.
Tuesday's fixtures
Mohammad Asif (Punjab) v Umair Alam (Sindh), Imran Shehzad (Punjab) v Abdul Sattar (Sindh), Asjad Iqbal (Punjab) v Rambel Gul (KPK), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh) v Qasim Kamani (Sindh) at 10.00am; Mohammad Javed (Punjab) v Sharjeel Mehmood (KPK), Mohammad Asif Toba (Punjab) v Shahram Changezi (Punjab), Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) v Nauman Awan (KPK), Imran Qamar (Punjab) v Sultan Mohammad (Sindh) at 12noon; Mohammad Asif (Punjab) v Qasim Kamani (Sindh), Imran Shehzad (Punjab) v Rambel Gul (KPK), Asjad Iqbal (Punjab) v Abdul Sattar (Sindh), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh) v Umair Alam (Sindh) at 2.00pm; Mohammad Javed (Punjab) v Sultan Mohammad (Sindh), Mohammad Asif Toba (Punjab) v Nauman Awan (KPK), Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) v Shahram Changezi (Punjab), Imran Qamar (Punjab) v Sharjeel Mehmood (KPK) at 4.00pm.
