Pro Snooker World Cup: Pakistan open account with 5-0 loss

Sajjad, Hamza floored by Wales in first match in China

KARACHI: Pakistan opened their Professional Snooker World Cup campaign with a 5-0 loss as Mohammad Sajjad and Hamza Akbar failed to fire against Wales in Wuxi, China on Monday.

The presence of top cueists from around the world at the prestigious event meant that Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) President Alamgir Sheikh was hardly keeping high expectations from the duo.

“It’s a good exposure for both Sajjad and Hamza, but honestly I don’t have high hopes from them,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “It would be enough if they qualify for the second round after competing with such experienced professionals.”

Pakistan are pitted against Wales, Australia, Poland, Qatar and Northern Ireland and need to finish in the top two to qualify for the next round.

The rules for the round-robin stage states that each team will play one five-frame match against each team in the group.

In a match, each player will play a single frame against the opposing players; frames 1, 2, 4 and 5.  The third frame will involve cueists in both teams playing a doubles frame with each player taking alternate turns.

All teams must take part in the round-robin matches, as one point will be awarded for each frame won and any missed matches would mean a loss of points.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th,  2015.

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