KARACHI: Continuing their impressive run, two Pakistani cueists — Asjad Iqbal and Babar Masih — ensured at least a bronze apiece by making their way into semi-finals of the 35th Asian Snooker Championship in Doha on Thursday.

According to results, Asjad gave a 5-1 drubbing to Iran’s Siyavosh Mozayani (72-41, 0-61, 94-36, 66-65, 65-9, 79-0) while Babar halted the unbeaten run of compatriot and national champion Mohammad Bilal coasting to 5-2 victory. The scores were 28-65, 99-21, 19-80, 100-1, 71-25, 98-28, 70-32.

Babar compiled four elegant breaks of 61, 70, 50 and 98 in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth frames while Bilal could only replied with a break of 50 in the third frame.

Asjad faces Indian Pankaj Advani while Babar is slated to meet Thailand’s Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon in the two semi-finals.

Earlier, the Pakistani trio was on song winning their last-16 round matches in style.

Asjad sent Qatar’s Ahmed Saif packing 4-1 (86-36, 52-38, 75-8, 0-91, 82-0) while Babar pulled off a major upset by getting the better of defending champion Amir Sarkhosh 4-3 in fully stretched battle. Babar won the duel 24-61, 4-77, 79-0, 100-1, 4-69, 99-1, 73-67.

Bilal, meanwhile defeated Qatar’s Mohsen Bukshaisha 4-2 (60-58, 90-27, 75-46, 35-66, 22-65, 65-25).

Results:

Quarter-finals:

Asjad Iqbal bt Siyavosh Mozayani (Iran) 5-1 (72-41, 0-61, 94-36, 66-65, 65-9, 79-0); Babar Masih bt Mohammad Bilal 5-2 (28-65, 99-21, 19-80, 100-1, 71-25, 98-28, 70-32).

Wednesday’s last-16 results:

Asjad Iqbal bt Ahmad Saif (Qatar) 4-1 (86-36, 52-38, 75-8, 0-91, 82-0); Babar Masih bt Amir Sarkhosh (Iran) 4-3 (24-61, 4-77, 79-0, 100-1, 4-69, 99-1, 73-67); Mohammad Bilal bt Mohsen Bukshaisha (Qatar) 4-2 (60-58, 90-27, 75-46, 35-66, 22-65, 65-25).

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2019