Mohammad Asif beats compatriot Naseem to reach SAARC Snooker Championship

COLMOBO: Pakistan’s veteran cueist Mohammad Asif outclassed compatriot Muhammad Naseem Akhtar in a one-sided final to reach the final of the 3rd SAARC Snooker Championship here at the Moors Sports Club on Thursday.

In an all-Pakistan semi-final, Asif sealed a comprehensive 5-3 victory over Naseem to move closer to the title.

The semi-final clash, however, got off to a contrasting start as Naseem clinched the opening frame 60-21.

Asif hit back by clinching the next two frames and took a narrow 2-1 lead only for Naseem to win the fourth frame and draw level.

The veteran then pulled ahead by winning the next two frames and moved in touching distance with the victory.

But, Naseem, fresh from a morale-boosting victory over India’s Kamal Chawla, displayed immense control and grit in the must-win frame and reduced Asif’s lead to one frame.

His comeback, however, was cut short as Asif clinched the decisive frame in a commanding fashion and stormed into the final.

He will face either Sri Lanka’s Thaha Irshath or Nepal’s Ankit Man in the final.

It is pertinent to mention that both Mohammad Asif and Naseem Akhtar remained undefeated on their way to the semi-finals.

The ongoing tournament is the third edition of the SAARC Snooker Championship, with the previous two editions held in Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal won the inaugural edition in 2019 by defeating compatriot Mohammad Bilaal, while India’s Ishpreet Singh Chadha won the second title in 2012 by defeating fellow countryman Brijesh Damani.