PBSA ‘disappointed’ with Asif ’s performance
National cueist failed to live up to expectations at 6-Red World event, says Sheikh.
Asif’s only victory came against England’s legendary cueist Steve Davis 5-2 in his last Group H encounter. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) expressed its disappointment with IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif’s performance at the Sangsom 6-Red World Championship – held in Bangkok, Thailand – after the cueist was knocked out during the initial stages.
Asif, the Asian 6-Red Champion, managed only a solitary win in his group, while succumbing to defeats in the remaining four matches played. It was his first time facing top professional players.
PBSA Chief Alamgir Sheikh, who went to Bangkok for a couple of days to witness the event, said Asif had failed to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
“Honestly, Asif should’ve at least qualified for the knock-out stage which would’ve been some consolation,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune.
“There can be no excuse for failing to go past the group stages despite the presence of top professional players in the event.
“Even though professional players are tougher to beat, he should’ve done better because not only is he an amateur World Champion, but an Asian 6-Red Champion as well.”
The official further stated that Asif needed to understand the difference between being a champion and the challenge of retaining top position. According to Sheikh, Asif now needed to strategise ways of maintaining his ranking.
‘Asif must rectify his faults’
Asif’s only victory came against England’s legendary cueist Steve Davis 5-2 in his last Group H encounter.
He overcame Davis with game scores of 38-16, 27-39, 1-31, 40-30, 0-73, 16-50 and 1-45. However, his fate had already been decided with previous defeats against Andrew Pagett 5-4 and England’s duo of Barry Hawkins and Ricky Walden 5-2 respectively, while Thailand’s James Wattana had pipped him 5-4 in the championship opener.
The 31-year-old cueist had recently stated that he wanted to turn pro and would appear in the professional circuit from next year while looking to defend his World Championship title this year.
“He must rectify the faults in his games if he wants to do well in the professional circuit,” said Sheikh. “We’re confident he will use this performance as a wakeup call and bounce back.”
Meanwhile, compatriot Mohammad Majid was unable to open his account in the event as he lost all five of his matches.
However, the PBSA chief felt that it was a good learning curve for the youngster.
“It’s a learning curve for Majid and he must learn quickly from such experiences. He is young, so such opportunities will help him grow into a better player quickly,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2013.
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) expressed its disappointment with IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif’s performance at the Sangsom 6-Red World Championship – held in Bangkok, Thailand – after the cueist was knocked out during the initial stages.
Asif, the Asian 6-Red Champion, managed only a solitary win in his group, while succumbing to defeats in the remaining four matches played. It was his first time facing top professional players.
PBSA Chief Alamgir Sheikh, who went to Bangkok for a couple of days to witness the event, said Asif had failed to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
“Honestly, Asif should’ve at least qualified for the knock-out stage which would’ve been some consolation,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune.
“There can be no excuse for failing to go past the group stages despite the presence of top professional players in the event.
“Even though professional players are tougher to beat, he should’ve done better because not only is he an amateur World Champion, but an Asian 6-Red Champion as well.”
The official further stated that Asif needed to understand the difference between being a champion and the challenge of retaining top position. According to Sheikh, Asif now needed to strategise ways of maintaining his ranking.
‘Asif must rectify his faults’
Asif’s only victory came against England’s legendary cueist Steve Davis 5-2 in his last Group H encounter.
He overcame Davis with game scores of 38-16, 27-39, 1-31, 40-30, 0-73, 16-50 and 1-45. However, his fate had already been decided with previous defeats against Andrew Pagett 5-4 and England’s duo of Barry Hawkins and Ricky Walden 5-2 respectively, while Thailand’s James Wattana had pipped him 5-4 in the championship opener.
The 31-year-old cueist had recently stated that he wanted to turn pro and would appear in the professional circuit from next year while looking to defend his World Championship title this year.
“He must rectify the faults in his games if he wants to do well in the professional circuit,” said Sheikh. “We’re confident he will use this performance as a wakeup call and bounce back.”
Meanwhile, compatriot Mohammad Majid was unable to open his account in the event as he lost all five of his matches.
However, the PBSA chief felt that it was a good learning curve for the youngster.
“It’s a learning curve for Majid and he must learn quickly from such experiences. He is young, so such opportunities will help him grow into a better player quickly,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2013.