ULAANBAATAR: Pakistani cueist Asjad Iqbal qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing IBSF Mongolia Snooker World Cup 2024 after defeating China’s Gao Yang in the quarter-final here on Wednesday.
Asjad Iqbal made a brilliant start as he won the first frame with a score of 76-0. However, Gao Yang made a resounding comeback winning the next two frames with scores of 25-64, 0-135(135).
The Pakistani cueist then took the lead with a victory in the fourth frame 81(76)-34, followed by a 65-64 victory in the next frame.
The Chinese cueist once again levelled the scores with 50(50)-69(69), but Asjad Iqbal triumphed with the victory in the last frame 69-50.
Meanwhile, in another quarter-final clash, Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou defeated Pakistan’s Awais Munir 4-2. The frame scores were 68-60, 66(58)-64(55), 8-78, 37-65, 66(53)-23, 111(65)-09.
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Asjad Iqbal will next face Michael Georgiou of Cyprus in the semi-final of the Mongolia Snooker World Cup.
Previously, Asjad Iqbal defeated Hong Kong’s Chang Yu Kiu in the pre-quarter-final match with a score of 4-1.
He lost the first frame 08-89, however, he staged a comeback, winning the next four frames with scores of 74-62(62), 71-12, 57-46, and 71(68)-24.
Awais Munir edged past another Hong Kong cueist Chau Hon Man 4-2. The frame scores were 44-81, 80-08, 17-65, 88-42, 85(79)-05 and 66-34.
Asjad also registered an upset victory over world champion Ali Al Obaidli on Sunday with scores of 59-36, 26-63, 58-19, and 70-58 earning direct qualification for the pre-quarter round.
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