DOHA: Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif edged closer to a historic double after surviving a thrilling pre-quarterfinal match against Thailand’s Dechawat Poomjaeng at the IBSF Master World Snooker Championship on Friday.
The veteran cueist won 4-3, with frame scores of 64-45, 33-68, 37-72, 94(94)-0, 65-54(53), 14-96(55), 68-35.
Asif struggled initially, losing two of the first three frames, but a break of 94 in the fourth frame revitalised his campaign.
He then took the fifth frame, despite Poomjaeng’s 53-break. However, the Thai player forced a deciding frame with a dominant 55-break in the sixth. In the nail-biting seventh frame, Asif held his nerve to seal the match.
Asif, fresh from his World Snooker Championship triumph, will now face Philip Williams of Wales in the quarter-finals.
Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024
