Pakistani duo backed to cause real damage in India

IBSF world champion Vahedi feels Akhtar, Tahir are talented enough to win U21 championship

KARACHI: IBSF World Champion Soheil Vahedi has backed his Pakistani pupils — Naseem Akhtar and Haris Tahir — to shine at the ongoing U21 Asian Championship in Chandigarh, India, where the duo will kick off their campaign on Monday along with another youngster Muhammad Rafiq.

The Irani cueist, who trained Pakistani youngsters last year, rates the 16-year-old Akhtar and Tahir — a year his senior — highly and feels the two have the talent to pile up victories, starting from the U21 tourney they are currently a part of.

“I think they will do well,” Vahedi said of Akhtar and Tahir in an interview with The Express Tribune. “They have the talent to beat players at the U21 Asian Championship. We changed up their technique a bit at the camp so it will take some time to get used to.

"But Akhtar is an exceptional talent and so is Tahir; they are very talented, hardworking and the future of Pakistan snooker.”

The feeling of respect is mutual, with Akhtar saying prior to his departure for India: “We’ve learned a lot from Vahedi; he has been a great mentor. I feel my game has improved a lot because of him."

While Vahedi, on his visit to Pakistan, liked what he saw in terms of talent, he feels the snooker tables and facilities leave a lot to be desired.

“The facilities they use are not up to the mark,” said Vahedi. “The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association is trying to provide the best they can, but the kind of table cloth they currently use makes the game slower.

"On professional circuit and even at IBSF level, the tables are fast so Pakistani players could struggle in the first couple of matches as they get used to the faster pace, but once they catch up they'll be a handful.

“I feel players like Akhtar and Tahir, they can go a long way, provided that they get a professional environment. They really need those facilities to realise their full potential.”

Vahedi, who defeated Andrew Pagett aka Welsh Wizard 8-1 last year to claim the IBSF world title, also expressed his willingness to make another trip to Pakistan for training more youngsters.