Mirza Asfandyar Hussain: High hopes from new bridge sensation
Hussain to represent Pakistan in Youth event in China.
KARACHI:
After topping the charts at the 2012 World Bridge Contest on Saturday, Pakistan’s 19-year-old Mirza Asfandyar Hussain and Tahir Abbas are heading to China to take part in the Youth Bridge Championship next month.
Hussain became the first Pakistani to end the two-day event at the top of the scoreboard with a 71.32 percentage, outplaying players from 336 centres around the world. Hussain believed the online format is ‘just good practice’ and a lot of hard work was required to prepare himself for the tournament in China.
“It has a different feel altogether,” Hussain told The Express Tribune. “Online bridge is really good practice though. But you need your opponent in front of you to read his mind. China will be tough but the Pakistan Bridge Federation is helping me in my preparations. For now Abbas and I are practising through online competitions with our potential opponents in China. We play with players from other countries every week.”
Meanwhile, Hussain attributed his impressive performance at the Worldwide Bridge Contest to Abbas, crediting his experience for the win. The player added that a little support from the federation will also go a long way in helping his career.
“I study in the US and have started teaching bridge to my friends. It used to be a hobby that is now paying dividends due to my good show.”
The Youth Bridge Championship will commence on July 25 and conclude on August 4.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2012.
After topping the charts at the 2012 World Bridge Contest on Saturday, Pakistan’s 19-year-old Mirza Asfandyar Hussain and Tahir Abbas are heading to China to take part in the Youth Bridge Championship next month.
Hussain became the first Pakistani to end the two-day event at the top of the scoreboard with a 71.32 percentage, outplaying players from 336 centres around the world. Hussain believed the online format is ‘just good practice’ and a lot of hard work was required to prepare himself for the tournament in China.
“It has a different feel altogether,” Hussain told The Express Tribune. “Online bridge is really good practice though. But you need your opponent in front of you to read his mind. China will be tough but the Pakistan Bridge Federation is helping me in my preparations. For now Abbas and I are practising through online competitions with our potential opponents in China. We play with players from other countries every week.”
Meanwhile, Hussain attributed his impressive performance at the Worldwide Bridge Contest to Abbas, crediting his experience for the win. The player added that a little support from the federation will also go a long way in helping his career.
“I study in the US and have started teaching bridge to my friends. It used to be a hobby that is now paying dividends due to my good show.”
The Youth Bridge Championship will commence on July 25 and conclude on August 4.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2012.