KARACHI: National champion Mohammad Asif Toba’s compatriots — Hamza Akbar and Asjad Iqbal — followed his footsteps by marching into last-32 knockout round on completion of their league matches in the 30th Asian Snooker Championship at Fujairah on Tuesday.
According to the results made available here, 20-year-old Hamza, a former national champion, cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Iraq’s Muneeb Al-Juboori the scores being 84-35, 81-14, 94-33, 68-7. He finished runner-up in group H with two wins and a defeat.
In the other match, Asjad, despite losing 3-4 to Malaysian Keen Hoo Moh in the fully stretched battle, made it to the next stage securing second spot in group P. He also stole the limelight by becoming first among three contenders to register a century break (102) in the fourth frame.
Trailing behind by three frames, he stormed back while neutralising the lead taking the next three frames in the best of seven clash before eventually losing the seventh and deciding frame. The Malaysian won 58-34, 64-35, 77-65, 26-102, 20-95, 25-84, 113-1.
It is pertinent to mention that Asif Toba had made it to the last 32 round by becoming group F champion the other day.
Results:
Hamza Akbar (Pak) bt Muneeb Al-Juboori (Iraq) 4-0 (84-35, 81-14, 94-33, 68-7); Keen Hoo Moh (Malaysia) bt Asjad Iqbal (Pak) 4-3 (58-34, 64-35, 77-65, 26-102, 20-95, 25-84, 113-1).
