MELBOURNE, March 20: Two Pakistani boxers Meharullah and Asghar Ali Shah breezed into the quarterfinals of the Commonwealth Games boxing competition after winning their respective bouts on points here on Monday.

Meharullah overpowered a strong challenge from Canadian Arash Usmanee in the four round contest winning 38-20 in the featherweight 57kgs bout.

After doing exceptionally well in the third round taking it 14-2, Mehar seemed fatigued as the Canadian boxers made desperate efforts to accumulate points with a series of punches and the round ended at 8-8. But quite good performance by Mehar in the earlier rounds proved vital and ensured his success with a clear margin.

Mehar was in superb form in the start and his power packed blows landed on the face of his opponent who was helpless on occasion to avoid the punishment.

Pakistan’s another success came in lightweight 60kgs in which Asghar proved too good for the Malaysian Paulus Paunandes by carving out a 25-11 win with 7-4, 6-0, 5-2, 7-5.

Olympian Asghar maintained aggressive hitting from the start and gradually prevailed upon his opponent with balanced foot work and agility which earned him applause from a big crowd.

The Malaysian boxers took up the charge in the fourth round but Asghar cut down his all efforts with powerful blows and then avoiding the counter attack punches.

Pakistan suffered a loss when Abid Ali was beaten by Bruone Richard Louis of Mauritius after failing to show necessary determination and courage. He lost 13-27.

Mohammad Nisar has already qualified for the quarterfinal.

Pakistan women cut a sorry figure in the shooting arena when Urooj Fatima and Nazish Khan finished 22nd and 26th in the 10m Air Rifle. Indians Tejaswini Sawant and Avneet Sidhu claimed gold and silver with Singapore’s Yu Zhen Yong snatching bonze.

Arshad Ali and Maqbool Tabbasum performed better when the came sixth in the men’s 25m Centre Fire Pistol pairs event. India’s Samaresh Jung/ Jaspal Rana grabbed the gold.

There was further disappointment for Pakistani contingent when Mohammad Ashraf Ali failed to take part in the shot put finals for unknown reasons.—APP