Ayodeji Victor
Doha: The main event of the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2024 commenced in Doha on Saturday with 48 players divided into 12 groups, each vying for a place in the knockout stage.
From each group, two players will advance to the knockout rounds, where the top 8 group leaders secure a direct entry to the Last 16.
The remaining 16 qualifiers will compete in the last-24 round to determine the final line-up.
The first day of the main event was great for host country Qatar, with Qatar’s Ali Al Obaidli, winner of the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2023, coming from two frames down to defeat India’s Hussain Khan 4-2 (53-65, 33-72, 56-28, 66-63, 68-6, 50-24) before edging out Canada’s Charlie Brown 4-0 (99-9, 58-7, 65-22, 79-6).
His compatriot Ahmed Saif also defeated Thaha Irshath of Sri Lanka 4-2 (29-72, 113(50)-1, 63-24, 70-23, 25-80, 56-16). Meanwhile, Mohanna Al Obaidl was not that lucky, as he lost to M. Naseem Akhtar (Pakistan) 0-4 (73-06, 94 (52)-30, 65 (54)-06, 74-14) and Latvia’s Rodion Judin by the same score.
In the other matches of the day, Asjad Iqbal (Pakistan) defeated Darryl Hill (Isle of Man) 4-1 (87-15, 100 (84)-01, 79-00, 42-59, 74 (51)-60 (60)). Awais Muneer (Pakistan) defeated Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn (Thailand) 4-2 (6-103 (52), 100 (68)-00, 77-12, 97-00, 36-77 (76), 82 (76)-27).
Former world champion Muhammad Asif delivered a masterclass performance against India’s Kamal Chawla, winning 4-1. His victory was highlighted by a century break of 100 in the opening frame. The final score was 135-0, 114-19, 1-56, 77-41, 72-16
Earlier during the qualifying stages on Friday, Muhammad Asif, a two-time World Champion from Pakistan, made a remarkable comeback to the IBSF after a two-year hiatus, successfully progressing to Stage II of the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2024 with a 4-2 victory over fellow countryman Asjad Iqbal.
Asif clinched the IBSF World Snooker Championship titles in 2012 and 2019, becoming the second Pakistani to do so after Muhammad Yousuf, who won in 1994, marking an 18-year interval between championships. In 2021, Asif was poised to reclaim his title but was thwarted by Ahsan Ramzan in the semifinals.
In the match that concluded Stage I (Part II) last night, both Asif and Asjad delivered an impressive performance, recording five breaks throughout the six frames. Asif secured the first frame, but Asjad quickly equalized with a break of 76. Asif then responded with two significant breaks of 53 and 63, establishing a 3-1 lead. Although Asjad mounted a comeback with a break of 69, Asif ultimately clinched the match with a decisive break of 64 in the sixth frame.
