Hamza Akbar. -Photo by White Star

KARACHI: National champion Hamza Akber had a disappointing start in the ACBS 14th Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship in Indore, India, on Wednesday when he suffered 2-4 loss at the hands of Myanmar’s Ko Htet in the Group C opener.

The country’s junior international, who created quite a stir by capturing the elusive national crown recently, recovered twice, first to draw level (1-1) and then reducing the lead to 2-3 before bowing out to his opponent in six frames.

Ko Htet won the battle 57-48, 13-73, 65-41, 87-0, 74-81, 79-23.

Earlier, his fellow countryman Mohammad Majid Ali compiled two elegant breaks of 64 and 55 in the second and fourth frames while imposing a straight 4-0 victory over India’s Nitesh Madan on Tuesday, This was Majid’s second victory in three matches of group D.

Majid was home 54-3, 85-0, 80-41, 77-9.

Results: Ko Htet (Myanmar) bt Hamza Akber (Pakistan) 4-2 (57-48, 13-73, 65-41, 87-0, 74-81, 79-23).

Tuesday’s results:Mohammad Majid Ali (Pakistan) bt Nitesh Madan (India) 4-0 (54-3, 85-0, 80-41, 77-9).

Opinion

Editorial

Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...
Sustainable path?
Updated 13 Jun, 2026

Sustainable path?

The FY27 budget is the first clear signal that the government is ready to transition from stabilisation to growth.
Prioritising education
13 Jun, 2026

Prioritising education

THOUGH the improvement in the country’s literacy rate may be slight, as highlighted by the Economic Survey, it ...
Poverty’s rise
13 Jun, 2026

Poverty’s rise

AS attention turns to the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year, one set of figures deserves particular...