-File photo

KARACHI: Pakistan got off to a disappointing start on the opening day of IBSF World Snooker Championship in Bangalore, India, on Monday when debutant Muhammad Asif went down to Rais Khan Sen Zhai of Afghanistan, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation reported.

Asif was tied 2-2 at one stage but Khan outplayed him in the last frames to emerge 2-4 winner.

Khan, who played in Pakistan's domestic circuit for many years with Saleh Muhammad before migrating to his native Afghanistan, won the first frame but Asif won the next to level the terms.

The Kabul cueman took the third frame and Asif made it two-all by winning the fourth frame.

Khan then potted smartly and tactically in the last two frames to register 58-38, 45-70, 79-09, 49-58, 100-08, 71-31 win.

Pakistan number one Imran Shahzad is placed in the 6-man group “J” with Ro Byoung Hwa (Korea), arjun Lavingia (Taiwan), Krzysztof Wrobel (Poland), Mark Tuite and Saleh Muhammad (Afghanistan).

Pakistan number two Muhammad Asif Toba is drawn in the 5-man group “M” with Karl-Heinz Beggel (Germany), Michal Wild (England), Rais Khan Sen Zhai (Afghanistan) and Vennie Calabrese (Australia).

Editorial

Shocking ambush
13 Mar, 2025

Shocking ambush

The sophistication of attack indicates that separatists likely had support from experienced external players.
Suffocating crisis
13 Mar, 2025

Suffocating crisis

THREE of the five countries with the most polluted air on Earth are in South Asia. They include Pakistan, which has...
Captive grid
13 Mar, 2025

Captive grid

IT is a common practice: the government makes commitments with global lenders for their money and then tries to...
State Bank’s caution
Updated 12 Mar, 2025

State Bank’s caution

Easing monetary policy will be difficult for SBP without large, sustainable foreign capital inflows and structural tax reforms.
Syria massacre
12 Mar, 2025

Syria massacre

THERE were valid fears of sectarian and religious bloodshed when anti-Assad militants triumphantly marched into...
Too little, too late
12 Mar, 2025

Too little, too late

WHEN desperation reaches a point that a father has to end his life to save his daughter’s, the state has failed ...