KARACHI Punjab's Raees Aslam who has surged to number two position in the national rankings will make his debut when he features in the upcoming 6-Red World Grand Prix - 2009, being held at Bangkok from July 7 to 12.

Pakistan number Mohammad Sajjad, also from Punjab, is the other player who will represent the country in the spectacular event. The names of two cueists were announced by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) on Wednesday.

According to draws, the Pakistani cueists were among 48 players who have been drawn in eight groups.

Sajjad has been placed in group 'C' along with John Higgins (Scotland), Sascha Lippe (Germany), Habib Sabah (Bahrain), Noppadon Noppachorn (Thailand) and Matthew Stevens (Wales).

Raees will be up again Peter Ebdon (England), Darren Morgan (Wales), Manan Chandra (India), Noppadol Sangnil (Thailand) and Stuart Bingham (England) in group 'F'.

After completion of league, top two from each group will advance to the knockout pre quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok-bound players will undergo short training in the camp which takes place at Karachi Club from June 29 to July 5.

The PBSA secretary Munawwar Hussain Shaikh and Shabbir Hussain Daruwala will accompany them as manager and referee respectively. The team leaves for Bangkok by TG 508 on July 6.