I lost despite playing well: Asif

Pakistan cueist believes 6-Red world event was a learning experience.

KARACHI: IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif believed he had not performed poorly during the Sangsom 6-Red World Championship – where he crashed out in the initial stages – stating that he had lost despite playing well.

The 31-year-old cueist was defeated in four of the five matches he played during the group stages in what was  his maiden appearance in an event which included top players from the professional circuit.

“The reality is that I played well in the 6-Red World Championship but still crashed out,” Asif told The Express Tribune.



“The margin for error was minimal and just one mistake would cost you the game. Mostly I won frames with clearance, potting all the balls, but in 6-Red you have less chances to express yourself.

“I lost two matches 5-4 which suggests that I matched my opponents at 4-4 and it was a case of luck in the deciding frame. I lost matches which I should’ve won.”

Asif’s only victory came against England’s Steve Davis where he won 5-2. In other matches, he faced defeats from Andrew Pagett, England’s duo of Barry Hawkins and Ricky Walden and Thailand’s James Wattana.

‘I gained a lot of knowledge’

The current Asian 6-Red Champion stressed that despite his early ouster, he was keen to make his days count in Thailand as he had learnt a lot from watching professional players play.

“There is a big difference in how we think and they think. A shot which looks safe to me isn’t safe for them so I’ve learned different dimensions and angles of the game which will help me a lot in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Asif added that he was not worried with his shock ouster despite people writing him off and promised to stage a strong comeback.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2013.

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