In hunt for medals, cueists land in UAE
Asif, Iqbal, Bilal, Masih to represent Pakistan in Asian team and snooker championships
According to PBSA President Sheikh, Pakistan must win at least one medal in the two events they are participating in. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan snooker squad landed in UAE yesterday to participate in the 4th Asian Team Championship and the 5th 6-Red Snooker Championship, which is scheduled to begin from today in Abu Dhabi.
The squad comprises of former IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif, Asjad Iqbal, Mohammad Bilal and Babar Masih.
Asian Snooker Championship: Pakistanis wiped out after Asif crashes out
Asif will partner Iqbal in the team event, while Pakistan’s other team would be represented by Bilal and Masih.
Earlier, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) had axed veteran cueist Mohammad Sajjad from the squad following his below-par performances in recent events. Sajjad had been an integral part of the team and was Asif’s partner when Pakistan last won the team event in 2013, but despite the absence of one of the most senior players, Asif is confident the team can deliver.
“I feel that Iqbal and I can have a real go at the Asian Team Championship because we know each other’s game,” Asif told The Express Tribune. “I had a good partnership with Sajjad but now that he won’t be in Abu Dhabi with us, I need to work with my other partner for the competition.”
Meanwhile, PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh is pinning his hopes on Pakistan to at least bag a medal in one of the two events they are competing in.
Asian Snooker: Championship ‘Holding trophy aloft my aim’
“Every individual in the squad has been selected on their recent performances. I am confident with the line-up and we should be able to bag at least one medal in this championship. Two would be great but one is a minimum.”
Sheikh further revealed that the reason Asif retained his place in the squad was because of his relentless desire to win more titles. “We’re taking Asif with us because he is still fighting for the title in international competitions. He was unlucky to lose in the last-eight of Asian Championship but he has been doing well and we hope he’ll show his experience and class in UAE.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2016.
The Pakistan snooker squad landed in UAE yesterday to participate in the 4th Asian Team Championship and the 5th 6-Red Snooker Championship, which is scheduled to begin from today in Abu Dhabi.
The squad comprises of former IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif, Asjad Iqbal, Mohammad Bilal and Babar Masih.
Asian Snooker Championship: Pakistanis wiped out after Asif crashes out
Asif will partner Iqbal in the team event, while Pakistan’s other team would be represented by Bilal and Masih.
Earlier, the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) had axed veteran cueist Mohammad Sajjad from the squad following his below-par performances in recent events. Sajjad had been an integral part of the team and was Asif’s partner when Pakistan last won the team event in 2013, but despite the absence of one of the most senior players, Asif is confident the team can deliver.
“I feel that Iqbal and I can have a real go at the Asian Team Championship because we know each other’s game,” Asif told The Express Tribune. “I had a good partnership with Sajjad but now that he won’t be in Abu Dhabi with us, I need to work with my other partner for the competition.”
Meanwhile, PBSA President Alamgir Sheikh is pinning his hopes on Pakistan to at least bag a medal in one of the two events they are competing in.
Asian Snooker: Championship ‘Holding trophy aloft my aim’
“Every individual in the squad has been selected on their recent performances. I am confident with the line-up and we should be able to bag at least one medal in this championship. Two would be great but one is a minimum.”
Sheikh further revealed that the reason Asif retained his place in the squad was because of his relentless desire to win more titles. “We’re taking Asif with us because he is still fighting for the title in international competitions. He was unlucky to lose in the last-eight of Asian Championship but he has been doing well and we hope he’ll show his experience and class in UAE.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2016.