ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan’s campaign in the IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship saw mixed fortunes as Asjad Iqbal reached the quarter-finals, while Awaisullah Muneer bowed out in the last-16 stage on Monday.

National champion Asjad showcased his skills with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Mongolia’s Lkhagvasuren Tumurchudur.

The match began with Asjad, 31, dominating the opening frame 73-0, but Tumurchudur fought back, winning the next two frames 56-8 and 54-2.

Asjad regained momentum, taking the fourth frame 57-18 and the fifth 34-21. Asjad gained a two frame advantage as he won the sixth frame convincingly 44-0. Despite Tumurchudur’s brief resurgence in the seventh frame (55-5). Asjad wrapped up the match with a 36-4 victory in the eighth frame.

Meanwhile, Awaisullah, winner of the 6-red championship in Riyadh in July, struggled against Iran’s Siyavosh Mozayani, losing 5-1.

Mozayani’s breaks of 58 and 65 proved decisive, as the 31-year-old Awaisullah failed to find his rhythm.

The Iranian took the opening frame 59-0, with a break of 58, and extended his lead with wins in the next two frames 31-15, 45-20.

Awaisullah’s sole victory came in the fourth frame 39-14, but Mozayani sealed the match with convincing wins in the next two frames 65-0, 42-13.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024