ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal claimed a bronze medal at the Mongolia Snooker World Cup after a thrilling quarter-final victory and a narrow semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

In the quarter-finals, Asjad edged China’s Gao Yang 4-3 in a nail-biting contest. He dominated the opening frame with a 76-0 win, but Gao fought back to level. The 31-year-old Asjad sealed the win with a decisive 69-50 victory in the seventh frame.

Compatriot Awaisullah Muneer’s campaign ended with a 4-2 quarter-final loss to Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou. Awaisullah, 30, struggled to contain Gharahgozlou’s potent breaks, including a 111(65) in the sixth frame.

In the semi-finals, Asjad, the current national champion, pushed Cyprus’ Michael Georgiou to the limit, ultimately losing 5-4. Georgiou’s 135 break in the third frame proved crucial, while Asjad’s 76 and 65 breaks kept him in contention.

Georgiou will now face Gharahgozlou in final on Thursday.

Tuesday’s results saw Asjad and Awaisullah registering convincing wins in their pre-quarterfinal ties.

Asjad defeated Hong Kong’s Chang Yu Kiu 4-1 [08-89, 74-62(62), 71-12, 57-46, 71(68)-24], while Awaisullah overcame Chau Hon Man 4-2 [44-81, 80-08, 17-65, 88-42, 85(79)-05, 66-34].

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2024