After an impressive start to their PTT-EGAT Snooker World Cup campaign, Pakistan lost their second tie against Germany 3-2 in Thailand yesterday.
Pakistan number one Shahid Aftab, who had earlier defeated former world champion Ken Doherty in the first tie against Ireland, lost to Germany’s Patrick Einsle 69-15.
Mohammad Sajjad also continued his dismal form going down to Lasse Munstermann 66-43 as the Germans led 2-0.
However, Aftab and Sajjad hit back in the doubles match when they outplayed Einsle and Munstermann 69-20 to make the scoreline 2-1.
But the momentum failed to continue as Aftab gave a disappointing performance in the reverse singles when he lost to Munstermann 63-28. Sajjad’s consolation win against Einsle 63-47 proved to be his first in the tournament.
Aftab admitted that he had lost his focus against the Germans.
“I feel that I tried too hard,” Aftab told The Express Tribune. “I couldn’t really break the Germans. I lost my focus in the middle. I thought I would get back after the doubles match but I didn’t get any opportunity.
“It wasn’t my day. I felt the pressure after winning against Doherty. I was expecting a better performance from myself.”
Meanwhile, Sajjad said that consistency is a big issue for the team and admitted that he had been struggling with his form.
The former Asian number two felt that Aftab had a lot of potential but his inconsistent form is troubling him.
Pakistan now face a stiff challenge to progress in the tournament as they next face the Welsh team comprising former world champion Mark Williams and Mathew Stevens.
In other matches, Australia defeated Malta 3-2 in Group B while India outplayed Belgium 3-2 in a Group C match.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2011.
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