Despite wins, Pakistan ousted from Asian Snooker
KARACHI: Pakistan failed to register a representative in the pre-quarterfinals of the Asian Snooker Championship, despite wins for two of its cueists in Doha on Thursday.
The country’s top cueists, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Sultan won their respective last league games at the 28th edition of the championship, but it wasn’t enough to secure a last-16 berth.
Asif, who played against home player Bashar Hussain Abdul Majid, was taken the distance before winning the match 4-3. The reigning national champion lost the first two frames but registered a 10-59, 45-50, 66-07, 61-55, 26-67, 70-08, 71-36 win.
Asif, who was the runner up in the tournament’s last edition (2010) in Thailand, finished third in Group “A” with four wins from six league games. Aditya Mehta (India) and Karam Fatima (Syria) secured top berth and qualified for the pre-quarterfinal stage.
Meanwhile, Sultan Muhammad beat Mohsin Khamis Abdul Rahman, also of Qatar 84-39, 66-48, 50-07, 01-58, 62-07 in his last league tie. He also finished third in his group, “C”.