(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Strong Start for Pakistan at Asian Team Snooker Championship in Colombo
COLOMBO: Pakistan’s snooker teams began their campaigns on a high note at the Asian Team Snooker Championship, delivering impressive performances on the tournament’s opening day in Colombo on Thursday.
Dominant Showing by Pakistan 1
Team Pakistan 1, featuring reigning Asian 6-Red champion Awaisullah Munir and recent singles bronze medalist Mohammad Asif, made a powerful statement with back-to-back victories in the group stage.
In their opening match, the duo swept aside Cambodia with a convincing 3-0 win, highlighted by high-quality break-building. The match saw:
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A 69-point break in the first frame: 82(69)-30
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A 51 break in the second: 59(51)-16
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An immaculate 78 clearance in the final frame: 78(78)-0
Later in the day, Pakistan 1 faced a more competitive challenge against Qatar. Despite dropping the first frame 47-81 (featuring a 60-point break by Qatar), Munir and Asif bounced back confidently:
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Frame 2: 82(55)-23
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Frame 3: 63-30
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Frame 4: 62-16
They clinched the match 3-1, maintaining their strong form heading into the next round.
Comeback Victory for Pakistan 2
Meanwhile, Pakistan 2, consisting of national champion Shahid Aftab and seasoned campaigner Mohammad Sajjad, battled hard for a 3-2 win over Bahrain in a tightly contested group match.
Bahrain started strongly, winning the first two frames:
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Frame 1: 41-87 (53 break by Bahrain)
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Frame 2: 46-48
Facing pressure, the Pakistani pair responded with determination and composure:
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Frame 3: 73-41
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Frame 4: 80-35
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Deciding Frame: 60-16
Their spirited comeback demonstrated their experience and teamwork under pressure.
What’s Next?
Both Pakistani teams are well-positioned for the knockout stages, and fans will be eager to see how far they can go in the competition. The event continues over the weekend, with tougher challenges expected ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pakistan’s progress in the Asian Team Snooker Championship.
