KARACHI: Pakistan’s experienced duo Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal delivered a commanding performance to defeat India’s Pankaj Advani and Brijesh Damani 3-1 in the semi-final of the Team Snooker World Cup, held at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub in Muscat on Saturday.
The match began on a tough note for Pakistan as Advani dominated the opening frame, outclassing Asjad 85-21 to hand India an early 1-0 lead. However, reigning IBSF world champion Asif produced a brilliant comeback in the second frame, crushing Damani 120-23 with the help of an impressive 77-point break to level the tie at 1-1.
With the contest balanced, both teams entered the doubles frame, where Pakistan claimed a convincing 75-47 win to move ahead.
Asif continued his superb form in the next frame, dismantling Advani 73-9 to give Pakistan an unassailable 3-1 advantage. As a result, the last frame — scheduled between Asjad and Damani — was not played.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan had comfortably reached the semi-finals by sweeping Qatar 3-0 in a one-sided quarter-final.
In the first frame, Asjad struck a brilliant 92-point break to beat Ali Alobaidli 92-43.
Asif followed up with another dominant display, blanking Ahmed Saif 83-0 with a solid 62-point break to extend Pakistan’s lead to 2-0.
The duo carried their momentum into the doubles frame, securing it 79-26 to complete a flawless 3-0 victory.
Pakistan will now meet Hong Kong China 2 in the final.
