KARACHI: Pakistan’s campaign to regain the world title ended on a sour note when former champion and country’s last aspirant Mohammad Asif made an unceremonious exit in the last 16 round of the ongoing IBSF world snooker championship in the Egyptian city of Hurghada on Thursday.

According to results, Asif lost the battle to Thailand ‘s Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn on the decisive ninth frame after making it four-all in the pre quarter-final.

The Thai compiled four half century breaks – 54, 64, 59 and 86 – second and third in the third frame, while getting the better of his opponent 89-33, 95-29, 124-7, 31-70, 63-25, 38-74, 12-113, 13-44, 86-14 to advance into quarter-final.

Earlier, Asif, who become the second Pakistani after Mohammad Yousuf to win the world title at Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2012, inflicted 5-3 defeat on Scotland’s Michael Collumb in the last 32 round. Asif won the battle 39-66, 61-25, 84-27, 22-83, 65-52, 73-51, 50-65, 81-34.

Asif’s three other compatriots – reigning world No 2 Mohammad Sajjad, Abdul Sattar and Shahram Changezi -- have lost earlier after making it to the knockout stage.

Results:

Last 32 round:

Mohammad Asif bt Michael Collumb (Scotland) 5-3 (39-66, 61-25, 84-27, 22-83, 65-52, 73-51, 50-65, 81-34)

Last 16 round:

Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn (Thailand) bt Mohammad Asif 5-4 (89-33, 95-29, 124-7, 31-70, 63-25, 38-74, 12-113, 13-44, 86-14).

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2015