DOHA: A quartet of Pakistan players enjoyed a resounding start to the IBSF World Snooker Championship in Doha on Saturday.

Awaisullah Muneer, Mohammad Asif, Asjad Iqbal and Mohammad Naseem Akhtar recorded impressive wins to kick-start their campaigns.

Awaisullah, who won the 6-red title in Riyadh in July, recovered from a slow start to defeat Thailand’s Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn 4-2 [6-103(52), 100(68)-00, 77(83)-12, 97-00, 36-77(76), 82(76)-27].

Lertsattayathorn took the first frame with a break of 52, but the 31-year-old Awaisullah fought back, compiling breaks of 68, 83, and 76, in the second, third and final frame, respectively, to seal the victory.

Meanwhile, Asif, a two-time amateur world champion, also impressed, thrashing India’s Kamal Chawla 4-1 [135(100)-00, 114(66)-19, 01-56, 77(52)-41), 72(63)-16].

The 42-year-old Asif’s century break (100) in the first frame set the tone for his victory. The seasoned veteran displayed his experience as he also registered long breaks of 66, 52 and 63 to record a commanding win.

Asjad, the 31-year-old current national champion, outclassed Isle of Man’s Darryl Hill 4-1 [87-15, 100(84)-01, 79-00, 42-59, 74(51)-60(60)]. The Pakistan player’s breaks of 84 and 51 proved decisive, despite Hill’s resistance in the fifth frame.

Another national cueist, Naseem dominated Qatar’s Mhanaa Alobaidli 4-0, crafting breaks of 52 and 54 as he showcased his rich form [73-06, 94(52)-30, 65(54)-06, 74-14].

The championship features 48 players divided into 12 groups, with the top two players from each group qualifying for the knockout round. The top eight group winners will progress directly to the last 16, while the remaining 16 players compete in the Last 24 round.

The championship concludes on Nov 9.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024