Pakistan beat India ‘A’ to enter World Cup of Snooker final

Pakistan defeated India ‘A’ 3-1 in the World Cup of Snooker semifinal in Muscat, with Muhammad Asif starring through brilliant breaks. Pankaj Advani won the opening frame, but Pakistan stormed back to set up a final against Hong Kong China

Hyderabad: In a battle between former champions, Pakistan, riding on Muhammad Asif’s brilliance, outplayed India ‘A’ 3-1 to storm into the final of the World Cup of Snooker in Muscat (Oman) on Saturday.

Although India started well with ace cueist Pankaj Advani winning the first frame in the best-of-five clash, Asif had other ideas as he came up with a splendid show to dash India’s hopes.

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For India, who hammered France 3-0 in the quarterfinals in the morning, Advani began the proceedings with a fine 85-21 victory over Asjad Iqbal. The win also avenged Advani’s loss in the individual event earlier in the championship.

In the second frame, Brijesh Damani was reduced to a mere spectator as Asif punished the Indian’s poor opening break with a frame-clinching effort. A three-time IBSF World champion, Asif began with a long red pot to the top left pocket and constructed a sizzling 77. Damani needed five snookers to make a match of it, but he only delayed the inevitable as Asif made a 39 clearance to restore parity.

In the doubles, India gave the frame away on a platter as Damani missed a red to the centre pocket early on and Asif came up with a gritty break of 46 under pressure. Advani then missed a rare red to the top pocket to let Pakistan off the hook.

In the fourth frame, with the reds scattered, Advani’s error on the black at 9-11 gave Pakistan a lifeline. Needing no second invitation, Asif was off the chair in a jiffy and made a match-winning break of 61.

Pakistan will take on the winner of the semifinal between the two Hong Kong China teams.

Results: Semifinals: Pakistan bt India ‘A’ 3-1 (Asjad Iqbal lost to Pankaj Advani 21-85; Muhammad Asif bt Brijesh Damani 120 (77)-23; Asif/Iqbal bt Advani/Damani 75 (46)-47; Asif bt Advani 73 (61)-9).