COLOMBO, July 4: Pakistan’s Khurram Agha and Imran Shahzad advanced to the quarter-finals of the 22nd Asian Snooker Championship by overcoming Malaysia’s Kein Foot Young and Susantha Botjeu of Sri Lanka respectively at a hotel on Tuesday.

Khurram defeated his opponent 4-2. The 29-year-old picked-up the opening frame 72-31.

But Kein Young came back in style and grabbed second frame 96-31.

Khurram put his Malaysian rival under pressure by capturing third and fourth frame 66-26 and 76-45 to gain a 3-1 advantage.

Unruffled by the situation, Kein Young again bounced back in the match by winning fifth frame 75-26.

Khurram compiled a brilliant break of 77 in the final frame to seize a well-deserved victory.

“The win against experienced Kein Young boosted my confidence. That is an important win and I am looking forward to accomplish another victory in the quarter-final,” said delighted Khurram Agha.

Another Pakistani who made his mark was Imran Shahzad. He outclassed Susantha Botjeu 4-0 in a one-sided affair.

Khurram will play Yuan Li of China in the quarter-final on Tuesday while Imran will take on Singapore’s Boon Aun Keith.

Results:

Khurram Agha bt Kein Foot Yong 4-2 (72-31, 31-96, 66-26, 76-45, 26-45, 77-0; Imran Shahzad bt Susantha Boteju 4-0 (67-23, 83-27, 65-51, 59 02); Habib Subah (Bahrain) bt Pankaj Advani (India) 4-1 (0-113, 72-4, 71-33, 77-32, 54-48); Mohammed Shehab (UAE) bt Jin Long 4-1 (64-40, 41-82, 82-42, 57-45, 66-60); Yuan Li (China) bt Ahmed Saif (Qatar) 4-1 (71-28, 67-0, 49-59, 68-20, 64-43); Boon Aun Keith (Singapore) bt Manan Chandra (India) 4-1 (67-40, 67-57, 11-79, 71-45, 76-0; Caisheng Cao (China) bt Keen Hoon Moh (Malaysia) 4-2 (69-36, 28-99, 69-17, 76-08, 55-69, 50-39); Issra Kachaiwong (Thailand) bt Fung Kowk Wai (China Hong Kong) 4-3 (109-1, 60-65, 50-79, 13-82, 114-16, 82-44, 79-46).—APP