ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan’s top cueists, Asjad Iqbal and Awaisullah Muneer, made a strong start at the Mongolia Snooker World Cup on Saturday, winning their opening matches with convincing 3-0 victories.

National champion Asjad, 31, dominated his opponents, first thrashing Mongolia’s Baatarkhuu Narankhuu and then Japan’s Junji Miyazawa. Asjad’s breaks of 52 and 56 highlighted his impressive form.

Awaisullah, 30, the recent 6-red title winner in Riyadh and Pakistan’s No.2, also showed his class, white­washing Mongolia’s Khash-Ochir Tuvsh­injargal and Oman’s Husain Allawati. Awaisullah’s 75 break stood out in his match against Allawati.

The tournament features 36 players divided into nine groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout round.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024