KARACHI: The Pakistani trio of Mohammad Sajjad, Mohammad Asif Toba and Hamza Akbar have almost ensured a passage for the last 64 knockout round after winning their penultimate league matches in the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world amateur championship in Bangalore on Sunday evening.

Former national champion Sajjad taught a lesson to Sweden-based Pakistani cueist Farhan Mirza while imposing to straight victory to maintain a clean slate in group P.

Sajjad, who ruthlessly beat Farhan 67-7, 57-1, 66-9, 50-7 is on course to top the group. The position becomes clear after he plays last match against Indian Brijesh Damani. His match was in progress at the time of filing this report.

Sajjad’s compatriot Asif Toba recovered from a frame down to inflict 4-1 defeat on Iran’s Soheil Vahedi the scores being 35-78, 66-56, 67-17, 54-13, 67-60.

The latter, who opened the match well by slamming an efficient break of 70 in the first frame, succumbed to his opponent’s efficiency of potting.

Asif, who had four wins and a defeat under his belt so far, rounds of his league engagements against Indian Sahil Nayyar and a win can boost his chances of sailing into next round.

Hamza piled up two half century breaks – 52 in the third frame and 56 in the seventh and decisive frame – while registering 4-3 victory over Scotland’s Michael Collumb, his fourth in five outings.

He was home 25-61, 85-14, 81-42, 20-94, 60-46, 52-60, 76-5. The loser also came up with an excellent break of 90 in the fourth frame.

Results:

Mohammad Sajjad (Pakistan) bt Farhan Mirza (Sweden) 4-0 (67-7, 57-1, 66-9, 50-7); Mohammad Asif Toba (Pakistan) bt Soheil Vahedi (Iran) 4-1 (35-78, 66-56, 67-17, 54-13, 67-60); Hamza Akbar (Pakistan) bt Michael Collumb (Scotland) 4-3 (25-61, 85-14, 81-42, 20-94, 60-46, 52-60, 76-5).

Published in Dawn, November 25th , 2014