KARACHI, April 9 Pakistan No 2 Asjad Iqbal and runner-up of the national junior championship, Mohammad Ishtiaq, opened their campaign in the 11th Asian under-21 snooker championship on a winning note while reigning national junior champion Mohammad Ahsan Javaid suffered defeat in the Indian city of Indore on Friday.

According to results made available here, Asjad, a former national junior champion, blanked Indian Manjot Sindh 3-0 (81-25, 67-10, 75-42) while Ishtiaq after conceding the opener recovered to rout Simon Lee of Hong Kong 3-1 the scores being 37-58, 60-38, 82-70, 70-40 with a break of 40 in the third frame.

Ahsan, on the other hand, had a dismal start as he lost to Indian Mundir Sherazi 1-3. The Indian was home 54-43, 51-12, 22-70, 63-16.

Thirty two cueists who are competing in the event have been equally drawn in eight groups. The event concludes on April 15.

Results
Mundir Sherazi (India) bt Mohammed Ahsan Javaid 3-1 (54-43, 51-12, 22-70, 63-16); Asjad Iqbal bt Manjot Singh (India) 3-0 (81-25, 67-10, 75-42); Mohammad Ishtiaq bt Simon Lee (Hong Kong) 3-1 (37-58, 60-38, 82-70, 70-40).