Pakistan cueists Mohammad Sajjad and Shahid Aftab reached the semi-final of the ENOC Team International Snooker Championship after overcoming Syria 4-2 in Dubai.
The duo won the opening frame before Syria levelled the score and then made it 2-1 by taking the third frame. However, that was Syria’s last success as Sajjad and Aftab clinched the next three frames to seal the last-four clash against Thailand.
“Thailand are a tough team to beat,” Sajjad told The Express Tribune. “We lost against them in the group stages and we need to work hard for our semi-final clash.
“Their players are experienced and are good. We are under pressure but hopefully we will be able to do well,” said Sajjad.
Pakistan beat Syria 3-1 and UAE twice - 3-0 and 3-1 - in their earlier matches before their winning run was brought to a halt by Thailand who clinched the match 3-0. The championship features 13 teams including Afghanistan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Pakistan.
Test of skills before the World Cup
According to Sajjad, the match against Thailand will test his skills ahead of the amateur 2011 snooker World Cup that starts on July 11 in Thailand.
“We had an 18-day camp before coming to Dubai. It was good practice since we will be facing Thai cueists in the World Cup as well. They are the best Asian side at the moment,” said Sajjad, who lost to a Thailand cueist in the Asian Championship final.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2011.
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