-File photo

KARACHI: Pakistan got off to a disappointing start on the opening day of IBSF World Snooker Championship in Bangalore, India, on Monday when debutant Muhammad Asif went down to Rais Khan Sen Zhai of Afghanistan, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation reported.

Asif was tied 2-2 at one stage but Khan outplayed him in the last frames to emerge 2-4 winner.

Khan, who played in Pakistan's domestic circuit for many years with Saleh Muhammad before migrating to his native Afghanistan, won the first frame but Asif won the next to level the terms.

The Kabul cueman took the third frame and Asif made it two-all by winning the fourth frame.

Khan then potted smartly and tactically in the last two frames to register 58-38, 45-70, 79-09, 49-58, 100-08, 71-31 win.

Pakistan number one Imran Shahzad is placed in the 6-man group “J” with Ro Byoung Hwa (Korea), arjun Lavingia (Taiwan), Krzysztof Wrobel (Poland), Mark Tuite and Saleh Muhammad (Afghanistan).

Pakistan number two Muhammad Asif Toba is drawn in the 5-man group “M” with Karl-Heinz Beggel (Germany), Michal Wild (England), Rais Khan Sen Zhai (Afghanistan) and Vennie Calabrese (Australia).

Opinion

Editorial

Holding the line
16 Mar, 2026

Holding the line

PAKISTAN’S long battle against polio has recently produced encouraging signs. Data from the national eradication...
Power self-reliance
Updated 16 Mar, 2026

Power self-reliance

PAKISTAN’S transition to domestic sources of electricity is a welcome development for a country that has long been...
Looking for safety
16 Mar, 2026

Looking for safety

AS the Middle East conflict enters its third week, the war’s most enduring victims are not those who wage it....
Battling hate
Updated 15 Mar, 2026

Battling hate

In the current scenario, geopolitical conflict, racial prejudice and religious bigotry all contribute to the threats Muslims face.
TB drugs shortage
15 Mar, 2026

TB drugs shortage

‘CRIMINAL negligence’ is the phrase that jumps to mind when one considers the disturbing consequences of the...
Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...