DOHA: On Saturday, the IBSF World Snooker Championship in Doha saw a dominant start for a quartet of Pakistan players.
To kick off their campaigns, Awaisullah Muneer, Mohammad Asif, Asjad Iqbal, and Mohammad Naseem Akhtar all scored impressive victories.
Awaisullah, who won the 6-red title in July in Riyadh, beat Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn of Thailand 4-2 [6-103(52), 100(68)-00, 77(83)-12, 97-00, 36-77(76), 82(76)-27].
With a break of 52, Lertsattayathorn won the first frame, but the 31-year-old Awaisullah fought back and won the second, third, and final frames with breaks of 68, 83, and 76, respectively.
In the meantime, Asif, a two-time amateur world champion, impressed as well by defeating Kamal Chawla of India 4-1 [135(100)-00, 114(66)-19, 01-56, 77(52)-41), 72(63)-16].
The 42-year-old Asif’s first-round century break (100) set the tone for his victory. In addition to registering long breaks of 66, 52, and 63, the seasoned veteran demonstrated his experience to earn a commanding victory.
Asjad, the 31-year-old current public hero, outmatched Isle of Man’s Darryl Slope 4-1 [87-15, 100(84)- 01, 79-00, 42-59, 74(51)- 60(60)]. Despite Hill’s resistance in the fifth frame, the Pakistan player’s breaks of 84 and 51 proved decisive.
Another national cueist, Naseem beat Qatar’s Mhanaa Alobaidli 4-0 with 52 and 54 breaks as he displayed his versatility [73-06, 94(52)-30, 65(54)-06, 74-14].
The 48 players in the championship are divided into 12 groups, and the top two players from each group advance to the knockout phase. The remaining 16 players will compete in the Last 24 round, while the eight winners of the group advance directly to the next round.
