KARACHI: Pakistan’s top cueist Asjad Iqbal and debutant Mubashir Raza continued their winning run as former world champion Mohammad Asif fell prey to his low-profile opponent in the men’s category of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world snooker championship at Doha on Monday.

According to information made available here, Asjad conceded two frames while getting the better of Japanese Keishin Kamihashi 4-2 (77-0, 9-85, 8-97, 77-22, 86-17, 77-9) to register second straight win while his fellow countryman Mubashir blanked Andreas Ploner of Austria 4-0 the scores being 59-10, 92-28, 62-29, 62-54.

With two wins under his belt, Asif suffered a shock 1-4 defeat at the hands of unknown Ko Htet of Myanmar (91-20, 71-47, 74-32, 41-80, 80-45).

The reigning junior world champion Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, who had a dismal start losing the opening game, was home against Libyan Osama Anga 4-1 (24-50, 81-27, 96-24, 72-7, 68-10).

Meanwhile, the master’s trio comprising Imran Shahzad, Khurram Agha and Mohammad Yousuf strengthened their position with a clean slate having won two games apiece.

Veteran Yousuf sent Januario Souza of Brasil packing straight 51-41, 101-15, 78-38 to notch up his second victory.

Results:

Men’s: Ko Htet (Myanmar) bt Mohammad Asif 4-1 (91-20, 71-47, 74-32, 41-80, 80-45).

Sunday’s remaining results:

Men’s: Mubashir Raza bt Andreas Ploner (Austria) 4-0 (59-10, 92-28, 62-29, 62-54); Asjad Iqbal bt Keishin Kamihashi (Japan) 4-2 (77-0, 9-85, 8-97, 77-22, 86-17, 77-9); Mohammad Naseem Akhtar bt Osama Anga (Libya) 4-1 (24-50, 81-27, 96-24, 72-7, 68-10).

Master’s: Mohammad Yousuf bt Januario Souza (Brasil) 3-0 (51-41, 101-15, 78-38).

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2017