KARACHI: Pakistan’s three cueists opened their campaign on a winning note in the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championships – men’s, women’s and masters – which commenced in the Egyptian city of Hurghada on Tuesday.

According to results available here, the last year’s runner-up Mohammad Sajjad blanked Ahmed Haitham of Yemen straight 119-9, 70-15, 107-20, 72-10 in group N opener. Sajjad compiled three half century breaks of 69, 58, 54 in the first three frames.

Pakistan’s top cueist and former world champion Mohammad Asif conceded the fourth frame while disposing off Iraq’s Omar Ali 4-1 (71-33, 67-41, 83-24, 57-64, 81-15) in group V clash.

Shahram Changezi, the third Pakistani competing in the event, handed out convincing 4-1 victory to Thadeu Giannattasio Nobers of Brasil in group T encounter the scores being 6-96, 65-24, 62-36, 87-31, 63-32.

Abdul Sattar, the fourth member of the quartet, was due to play his group J match against Mostafa Dorgham of Egypt.

126 players from member countries of the IBSF are competing for honours in the annual spectacle which concludes on Nov 21.

Groups of Pakistan players:

J: Ahmed Janahi (Bahrain), Abdul Sattar (Pakistan), Mostafa Dorgham (Egypt), Jerome Liedtke (Austria).

N: Mohammad Sajjad (Pakistan), Derek Martin (Qatar), Issara Kachaiwong (UAE), Tymour Hussien (Iran), Alaa Elsaed (Kuwait), Ahmed Haitham (Yemen).

T: Lee Chun Wai (Hong Kong), Shahram Changezi (Pakistan), Ryan Causton (England), Mohamed Hemdan (Egypt), Thadeu Giannattasio Nobers (Brasil), Ahmed Saloomi (Yemen).

V: Abdul Mutalieb Allie (South Africa), Aaron Busuttil (Malta), Mohammad Asif (Pakistan), Omar All (Iraq), Naffati Moneam (Tunisia), Faisal Khan (India).

Results:

Mohammad Sajjad bt Ahmed Haitham (Yemen) 4-0 (119-9, 70-15, 107-20, 72-10); Mohammad Asif bt Omar All (Iraq) 4-1 (71-33, 67-41, 83-24, 57-64, 81-15); Shahram Changezi bt Thadeu Giannattasio Nobers (Brasil) 4-1 (6-96, 65-24, 62-36, 87-31, 63-32).

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2015