Muhammad Asif reaches Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship semi-finals

Pakistan’s veteran cueist and three-time world champion Muhammad Asif has confirmed a medal for his country after storming into the semi-finals of the Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On the third day of the competition, Asif overcame a tough challenge from Malaysia’s Kim Ko Leong during the quarter-finals, registering a hard-fought 5-3 victory to book his place in the last four.

Earlier in the pre-quarterfinals, Asif comfortably defeated Cambodia’s Nyang Tola 5-1, conceding just one frame en route to the quarterfinals and ensuring at least a bronze medal finish.

However, it was disappointment for the other two Pakistani cueists. Defending champion Awais Munir and former Asian champion Mohammad Sajjad were both knocked out in the pre-quarterfinals.

Munir, who was hoping to retain his title, was eliminated by Hong Kong’s Ming Wa Man in a closely contested 5-3 encounter. Meanwhile, Sajjad was handed a straight 5-0 defeat by Singapore’s Sng Eain Yow in a one-sided affair.

Asif will now face Malaysia’s Thor Chuan Leong in the semi-final on Wednesday (today).