Pakistani snooker players Asjad Iqbal and Awais Muneer have made significant progress in the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship 2024, taking place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Asjad Iqbal secured a direct spot in the pre-quarterfinals, while Awais Muneer will compete in the last-20 round, showcasing their talent on the global stage.
Asjad Iqbal demonstrated his prowess during the group stage by winning all three of his matches convincingly. In his first match of the day, Asjad faced India’s Pandurangaiah, emerging victorious with a 4-1 scoreline. The frame scores were 41-32, 35-36, 75-08, 50-09 (including a break of 50), and 35-22. His strong performance set the tone for his subsequent matches.
In a thrilling encounter against Iraq’s Alijalil Ali, Asjad secured a 4-3 victory. Despite trailing at one point, Asjad’s resilience saw him bounce back and win with frame scores of 39-23, 30-34, 66-0, 0-41, 1-54, 39-29, and 63-0. The final frame was particularly impressive, featuring a break of 58, which highlighted Asjad’s skill and composure under pressure.
Awais Muneer also showed remarkable skill in his matches. He began the day with a dominant 4-1 win against Singapore’s Jia Jun Ong. Awais’s performance was noteworthy, especially in two frames where he didn’t allow his opponent to pot a single ball. The frame scores were 63-0, 65-0, 0-56, 36-02, and 35-26, reflecting his control over the game.
In his second match, Awais faced Israel’s Shachar Ruberg in a closely contested battle. Despite a strong start, Awais narrowly lost 4-3. The match scores were 16-43 (with a break of 43 by Awais), 53-12, 43-13 (with a 43 break by Shachar), 8-64 (with a 64 break by Awais), 33-21, 12-40, and 40-10. Despite the loss, Awais’s performance was commendable and showcased his potential.
Asjad Iqbal’s direct advancement to the pre-quarterfinals is a testament to his consistent and high-level performance throughout the group stage. His ability to maintain focus and deliver under pressure will be crucial as he moves forward in the tournament. For Awais Muneer, competing in the last-20 round presents another opportunity to showcase his skills and advance further in the championship.
The progression of Asjad Iqbal and Awais Muneer to the knockout rounds of the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship 2024 highlights the growing talent in Pakistani snooker. Their performances have not only brought pride to their country but also set a high standard for their peers. As they continue in the tournament, both players will aim to maintain their momentum and strive for greater success on the world stage.
