ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan’s ace cueists Asjad Iqbal and Awaisullah Muneer made a stellar start to their campaign at the IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Saturday.

Asjad, the current national champion, in his opening match eased past Mongolia’s Ulziitogtokh Davaasuren 4-1, as the 31-year-old dominated the frames 50-18, 75(75)-0, 82(75)-0, 0-73(73) and 64(61)-0.

His impressive breaks of 75 and 82 in the second and third frames sealed the victory.

Awaisullah, 31, who won the 6-red championship in Riyadh in July, edged out Mongolia’s Mendsaikhan Bat-Erdene 4-2.

Awaisullah took the first frame 64(64)-0 but struggled in the next two, losing 20-45 and 0-54(47). He however regained composure to win 54-10, 53-21 and 46-15.

Asjad now faces Pandurangaiah E of India and Iraq’s Alijalil Ali in his next matches on Sunday while Awaisullah takes on Singapore’s Jia Jun Ong and Shachar Ruberg of Israel.

The championship features 40 players divided into 10 groups. The top two from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

The championship continues until Sept 25 with the last-20 and last-16 rounds scheduled for Sunday, followed by the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Sept 24. The final takes place on Sept 25.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2024