-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).

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