Asif through to semis of snooker event

National champion Mohammad Asif outclassed Sultan Mohammad 5-1. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS

KARACHI: National champion Mohammad Asif outclassed Sultan Mohammad 5-1 in the quarter-final of the 4th NBP Ranking Snooker Championship yesterday and set up a clash with Mohammad Majid.

In the other last-eight encounter, former national junior champion Asjad Iqbal defeated Mohammed Yousuf 5-2 and will now face Shehram Changezi, who overcame Shahid Aftab 5-4.

Asif had a shaky start, losing the opening frame 77-0 with Sultan hitting a break of 62. However, that was Sultan’s last success as Asif stages a remarkable comeback. The country’s top-ranked cueist took the following frame 80-17 before hitting a break of 91 to win the next 131-1. Leading 2-1, Asif took the next three frames 70-27, 56-32, 59-36 to seal the result in his favour.

“I’m in control and I believe I can win the championship,” Asif told The Express Tribune. “It’s going to be challenging since Majid is a good player but I don’t think his game is enough to stop me.” The semi-finals will be played at the DHA Creek Club today.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2012.