- Pakistan bounces back after losing the first frame to Advani.
- Asif dominates Damani and Advani in singles matches.
- Qatar crushed 3-0 earlier to reach the semi-finals.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s experienced pair of Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal defeated India’s Pankaj Advani and Brijesh Damani 3-1 in the semi-final of the Team Snooker World Cup at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub in Muscat on Saturday.
Team Pakistan got off to a shaky start in the knockout clash as Advani outscored Asjad 85-21 in the first quarter to give India a 1-0 lead.
But reigning International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) world champion Asif provoked a strong response, thrashing Damani 120-23 in the second frame thanks to a magnificent 77-point break to level the contest.
With the score tied 1-1, the two teams faced each other in a double-header, which Pakistan completely managed 75-47 to secure the lead.
In the next frame, Asif continued his dominance and humiliated Advani 73-9 to give Pakistan an unassailable 3-1 lead and hence the final frame, which was to be contested between Asjad and Damani, was cancelled.
For the unversed, Pakistan had booked their place in the semi-final today by beating Qatar 3-0 in a one-sided quarter-final match.
In the first set, Asjad recorded a break of 92 points to defeat Qatar’s Ali Alobaidli 92-43.
Asif then inflicted an equally crushing defeat on Ahmed Saif, securing the second frame at 83-0 after a 62-point break to strengthen Pakistan’s lead to 2-0.
The duo carried their respective momentum into the doubles draw and secured it 79-26 to round out a perfect 3-0 victory.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will face Hong Kong China 2 in the final.
