Asian Snooker Championship: Asif cues it right as event begins

Pakistan player registers 4-0 win against Sri Lanka’s Somarathne.

KARACHI:

IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif was off to a superb start at the Jubilee Insurance 29th Asian Snooker Championship as he thrashed Sri Lanka’s Ryan Somarathne 4-0 in their opening Group A match at the Sheraton hotel yesterday.

Asif, who crashed out during the group stage of the recently-held national championship due to an eyesight problem, was back to his best and recorded a break of 119 during the one-sided game. He eventually won with frame scores of 70-39, 109-00, 125 (119)-0 and 60-32 and said that the win has restored some of his confidence that was shattered after an early exit in the national event.

“I was a bit under pressure after crashing out of the national championship but an early win in this event has settled my nerves to some extent,” Asif told The Express Tribune. “Thankfully, I made a strong comeback at an important time and it feels great to hit the huge break. Hopefully I’ll be able to continue my form which I displayed today.”

Meanwhile, Humza Akbar also notched up a resounding 4-1 victory against China’s Wang Yuchin as he won with frame scores of 81-7, 68-20, 85-1, 52-74 and 53-21.

Veteran cueist Mohammad Sajjad held off the challenge from Iraq’s Ali Jalil Ali to register a 4-2 win. Sajjad, who was leading 2-0 at the start, then saw his opponent hit back in the following two frames. However, Sajjad won the next two and sealed the win with frame scores of 80-51, 58-46, 0-101 (101), 53-81, 71-64 and 79-27.

Pakistan’s Imran Shehzad lost to Iran’s Aamir Sarkosh 4-1, while compatriot Abu Saim was undone by Iran’s Ehsan Heydarinezhad  4-3.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2013.