KARACHI: Pakistan 1 (Mohammad Asif, Babar Masih) won back-to-back matches to inch closer towards capturing the title in the inaugural IBSF-ACBS World Team Championship at Doha on Friday.

According to information made available here, the duo, who did Pakistan proud by capturing the world team title at Hurghada last year, is just a step away from adding another feather to their cap.

After outplaying Qatar 1 by 3-1 in the last-16, Pakistan 1 whipped Wales 2 in convincing fashion by 3-1 in the quarter-final on Thursday evening. The scores were 64-37, 23-87, 66-18, 69-39. The first frame includes a break of 53 by Babar.

Continuing from where they have left the other day, Pakistan 1 stormed back from 1-2 deficit to turn the tables on Hong Kong 1 by 3-2 to sneak into the final.

Babar played vital role in the triumph by winning his both frames. He gave a sound start to Pakistan 1 by winning the first frame 68-34. The lead was, however, short lived as Asif lost the next frame 29-63. The pair lost the doubles 56-69 to trail 1-2 in the best of five frames encounter.

Babar hammered an efficient break of 78 in the fourth frame as Pakistan 1 drew level two-all by winning 78-49 while Asif completed the rout registering 68-56 victory in the last frame.

Pakistan 1 was up against India 2 in the final at the time of filing this report.

On the other hand, India 2, defeated Ireland 1 by 3-1 in the quarters and trounced Iran by 3-2 in the semi-final.

It is pertinent to mention that the event carries total prize money of US$60,000 with winner entitled to get US$15,000 and runners-up US$7,000.

The two Pakistan outfits who featured in the event by virtue of winners and runners-up at Hurghada last year, have gone to Doha at their own expenses.

Results:

Semi-final: Pakistan1 bt Hong Kong 1 3-2 (68-34, 29-63, 56-69, 78-49, 68-56).

Quarter-final: Pakistan1 bt Wales2 3-1 (64-37, 23-87, 66-18, 69-39).

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2018