Asjad Iqbal advances to IBSF World Cup semi-finals

The 34-year-old defeated India’s Pankaj Advani 4-0 to reach last four in Muscat

Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal continued his impressive run at the IBSF Snooker World Cup 2025, reaching the semi-finals after a series of dominant victories at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub on Tuesday. 

The 34-year-old former national champion defeated India’s Pankaj Advani 4-0 in the quarter-finals. Asjad opened with an 81 break to take the first frame 100-0, followed by a 92-37 win in the second. He then scored a 68 break in a 117-16 third-frame victory and sealed the match 83-21 in the fourth.

Asjad’s campaign began in the last 32 round, where he beat India’s Hussain Khan 3-0 (53(53)-44, 90-41, 93(84)-9). In the same round, Egypt’s Mina Awad defeated Pakistan’s Mohammad Hasnain 3-1, while Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif overcame Khalid Kamali of the UAE 3-2 (71(70)-77, 17-70(54), 77-74, 61(51)-45, 84-38).

In the pre-quarterfinals, Asjad beat Mina Awad 4-1 after losing the first frame 62-21. He bounced back with wins of 72(72)-11, 69(52)-29, 58-29, and finished with a 104(104)-0 clearance. Meanwhile, Mohammad Asif fell 4-2 to France’s Nicolas Mortreux (74-49, 46-57, 72(68)-28, 9-106(83), 73(73)-65(60), 85(55)-43).

Asjad will face Mortreux in the semi-finals, aiming to improve on his bronze medal finish from the previous edition and keep Pakistan’s hopes alive in the prestigious tournament.