KARACHI, Nov 22: Pakistan’s Saleh Mohammad moved into the pre-quarterfinal round of the IBSF World Snooker Championship with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Yvan Van Velthoven of Belgium in Korat (Thailand) on Thursday.

Former world number two Saleh, despite enjoying vast international experience faced a strong challenge before carving out 82-23, 19-73, 73-19, 45-70, 62-12, 66-06, 42-81, 38-72, 69-43, according to a message received here by Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association.

The Peshawar-based Saleh was holding a comfortable 4-2 lead at one stage of the match when Velthoven pulled the next two frames to set-up an exciting finish.

However Saleh, who is known to keep his nerve in pressure games, picked up the decider tactically 69-43 to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.

Pakistan’s other cuists Imran Shehzad, making his debut in the global event, however made his exit from the first round of knock-out stage after going down 2-4 against the Belgian Bjorn Hanaveer.

Imran offered stiff challenge to Hanaveer till the fourth when the match was tied 2-all.

But the Belgian cueist dominated in the last three frames as Imran struggled with his cue control and could muster only 32 points. Hanaveer won 85-16, 39-51, 71-48, 44-58, 79-07, 60-21, 99-04.

World Master Champion Mohammad Yousuf qualified for the last-16 round of seniors event when he defeated Brenden Cooney of Ireland 65-27, 18-72, 67-15, 76-16, 52-68, 59-33.—APP