Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal produced one of the standout performances of the IBSF Snooker World Cup on Tuesday, overpowering India’s celebrated cueist Pankaj Advani 4-0 to secure his place in the semi-finals. The quarter-final clash, played at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub in Muscat, saw Asjad in exceptional rhythm from the very first frame.
The former national champion wasted no time setting the tone. He opened the match with a magnificent 81 break, taking the first frame 100-0. His momentum continued as he claimed the second frame 92-37, before extending his lead with a clinical 68 break to win the third 117-16. Asjad wrapped up the match confidently, sealing the fourth frame 83-21 to complete a dominant whitewash over the Indian star.
Asjad’s journey through the tournament has been equally impressive. He began the knockout stage with a commanding 3-0 win against India’s Hussain Khan in the last 32, posting scores of 53-44, 90-41 and 93-9 (including an 84 break). He followed that with a solid 4-1 victory over Egypt’s Mina Awad in the pre-quarterfinals.
That match required real grit. After losing the opening frame 62-21, the Sargodha-born cueist responded with a brilliant 72 clearance to level the contest. He then edged ahead with a 69-29 win in the third frame, powered by a 52 break. With momentum firmly on his side, Asjad captured the fourth frame 58-29, and finished in style a superb total clearance of 104 to take the final frame 104-0.
While Asjad’s run continues, the same cannot be said for the rest of Pakistan’s contingent. Rising star Mohammad Hasnain was knocked out in the last 32, losing 3-1 to Mina Awad earlier in the day. Veteran cueist Mohammad Asif also saw his campaign end, despite a spirited 3-2 win over the UAE’s Khalid Kamali in the round of 32.
Asif later faced France’s Nicolas Mortreux in the last 16 a match that swung dramatically before slipping away. Mortreux took the first frame 74-49, but Asif immediately struck back 57-46. The two traded frame-winning breaks, with the Frenchman claiming the third 72-28 courtesy of a 68 break, before Asif responded with an excellent 83 break to level at 2-2.
The fifth frame proved decisive. Asif looked set to take the lead after crafting a 60 break, but Mortreux produced a nerve-steadying 73 clearance to steal the frame. He then secured the match with a composed 55 break in the final frame, winning 85-43 a victory that set up a semi-final showdown against Asjad Iqbal.
