KARACHI: National champion Shahid Aftab crossed yet another hurdle when he blanked UAE’s Mohammad Al Joaker 5-0 to advance into the last eight of 27th Asian snooker championship in the Indian city of Indore on Thursday.

According to results made available here, Shahid, who became the only Pakistani to propel into the knockout stage by finishing runner-up in group C, displayed acumen while thrashing his opponent straight 62-48, 61-49, 68-57, 73-68, 61-30.

Joaker had shocked Asian No 2 Sajjad 4-3 in the last league match on Wednesday to top group A.

Shahid is now drawn to meet Passakorn Suwannawat of Thailand who was home 5-2 against Hong Kong’s Fung Kwok Wai 5-2 in the other pre quarter-final.Results:Pre quarter-final: Shahid Aftab (Pakistan) bt Mohammad Al Joaker (UAE) 5-0 (62-48, 61-49, 68-57, 73-68, 61-30).