Author: Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

LAHORE: Pakistan’s professional snooker players Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal departed on Friday for the United Kingdom (UK) to partake in the upcoming qualifiers for Scottish Open 2022.

According to the details, the national cueists faced Visa issues earlier and as a result, missed a few tournaments on the ongoing calendar of the World Snooker Tour (WST).

However, the duo of Asif and Asjad have now received their respective Visas for the UK and will be in action in the Scottish Open qualifiers starting on October 9.

Following their participation in the Scottish Open, whose draws are yet to be revealed, Asif and Asjad will also participate in all the remaining events of the WST.

Upon their departure to the UK, Asjad and Asif requested the nation to pray for their success and are hopeful of making the country proud.

It is pertinent to mention that the two cueists earned a two-year professional card following their successful outing in the recently-concluded Q School Asia-Oceania.

READ: Japanese pro-wrestler Antonio Inoki dies at 79 

MILTON KEYNES: Scottish professional Snooker player John Higgins completed an astounding feat as he became just the second cueist in the professional circuit to score 900 centuries.

Amid the second-round fixture of the ongoing British Open 2022, Higgins scored a century in the fifth frame to take a 3-2 lead over his Chinese opponent Yuan SiJun.

The century in the fifth frame against SiJun marked the 900th in the professional career of the Welsh cueist, who, as a result, became just the second snooker player to achieve the milestone.

Seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, however, is the first to achieve the feat and has currently the most number of centuries (1,172) in the span of his 30-year long career.

Higgins’ remarkable achievement was, however, spoiled by his opponent SiJun, who came from 3-2 down to defeat the former world champion 4-3 in the Best of Seven clash.

READ: Messi registers 100th intl win as Argentina thrash Jamaica 3-0

MILTON KEYNES: The mixed pair of Australian and Thai cueists Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut outshined Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna in the final to win the inaugural Mixed Doubles.

In a thrilling final of the championship, the pair of Robertson and Nutcharut outpowered Selby and Kenna by the scores of 4-2 in the Best of Seven.

The all-English pair of Selby and Kenna were off to a flying start as the duo pulled ahead with an early 1-0 lead after an impactful break of 40 from Selby that firmed their grip on the opening frame.

Robertson and Mink, however, were quick to react and they did so emphatically by claiming the next two frames and clinching the lead for the first time after the third frame.

The pair further enhanced their domination over Selby and Kenna as they claimed the fourth and their third overall frame to move within the victory.

With their rivals one frame within from lifting the title, the English pair ante their level up to bounce back and sealed the fifth frame to cut Robertson-Mink’s lead to 3-2.

The English pair, however, remained unable to emulate the outcome of the previous frame and to force a decider as Nutcharut trapped Rebecca behind a brown to leave a perfect safety after failing to pot a long red.

Rebecca though managed to escape from the snooker, however, left the red on the bottom left. Robertson then made no mistake to seize the opportunity and effortlessly cleared the table including outrageous flukes on the yellow and green for 47 and the title.

Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut are the inaugural @BetVictor World Mixed Doubles champions! 🟡🏆

They have defeated Selby-Kenna 4-2 and take home £30,000 each.#BVMIXEDDOUBLES pic.twitter.com/dOL0UWnoct

— WST (@WeAreWST) September 25, 2022

READ: Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23 to commence tomorrow 

DUBAI: Two former Asian champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka will collide in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 in a bid to extend their tally of titles and seal their supremacy in the continent.

Five-time champions Sri Lanka and two-time champions Pakistan have met thrice in the Asia Cup Final in 1986, 2000, and 2014 with Sri Lanka coming out on top twice, while Pakistan only managed to win once.

The two sides will meet again in the Asia Cup final today under the sheds of the glittering Dubai International Stadium after displaying an exceptional run in the group stage and Super Four.

Both sides had an unwanted start to their Asia Cup 2022 campaign as Sri Lanka lost to Afghanistan in the curtain-raiser on August 27, while Pakistan suffered a frustrating defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals India, a day later.

The two sides then recollected themselves and won their respective group matches to make their way into the Super Four.

The next stage of the tournament marked an astounding turnaround for both teams as Sri Lanka and Pakistan both won their first two matches against India and Afghanistan to book their place in the final, forcing the latter two sides to crash out of the tournament.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka then met in the tournament’s last Super Four clash on Friday in a Final rehearsal and the Islanders secured a comfortable five-wicket victory over the Green Shirts to carry on their winning momentum.

In the anticipated final, however, Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their Super Four defeat to end their decade-long title drought, while Sri Lanka will be looking to extend their tally to six. India, on the other hand, won must number of titles (7).
[totalpoll id=”240770″]

The Green Shirts will be taking the field with a revamped Playing XI as their key players Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan will rejoin the side for the final after resting in the Super Four clash.

Pakistan have been majorly relying on their bowling department but will be hoping for their batting to fire on the big stage including their key batters Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan.

Sri Lanka, too, also rely heavily on their spin bowling while their openers Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and captain Dasun Shanaka can play a vital role in the team’s success.

HEAD TO HEAD (Asia Cup)

Matches-16, Sri Lanka-11, Pakistan-5

SHARJAH: Momentum-filled Pakistan will lock horns with a passionate Afghanistan cricket team today in a bid to storm into the final of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

All eyes will be on the fourth match of the ongoing Asia Cup Super Four which can confirm the finalists of the continental event.

Pakistan, ranked second in the Super Four points table with a victory that came against India on Sunday, will be hoping to imitate the outcome against Afghanistan as it would confirm the Men in Green qualification in the final.

Whereas, table toppers Sri Lanka with two wins against Afghanistan and India will also be hoping for Pakistan to win their all-important clash against Afghanistan as the outcome would also confirm their berth in the Asia Cup 2022 final.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be aiming to win their first Super Four match in order to stay in the competition, as will India, who will also be eliminated from the continental tournament if Afghanistan fail to defeat Pakistan.

The Green Shirts will be heavily backing themselves to sink Afghanistan as the side have remained victorious in the last two matches against Hong Kong and India respectively, while Afghanistan will be looking to bounce back after a frustrating defeat against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan will be heavily relying on their in-form batter Mohammad Rizwan, who is also the top-scorer of the ongoing tournament, while also hoping their captain Babar Azam and top-order batter Fakhar Zaman to fire.

In the bowling department, however, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz can play a crucial role for the nation as they did in the high-octane clash against Pakistan. Whereas, pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf will also be handy for the side.
[totalpoll id=”240685″]

Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be relying heavily on their explosive openers and their spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

READ: Pakistan suffer 0-3 defeat from India on their return to international football

DUBAI: Cricket fever has reached its zenith as the two arch-rivals and Asia giants India and Pakistan are set to lock horns once again in a span of one week in the high-octane clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 Super Fours.

In less than a week, the arch-rivals will meet again, and they could do so two more times in the current year.

The two sides last met in the Group A fixture of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 when India edged past Pakistan by five wickets in a final-over thriller.

All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya played the pivotal role in the much-needed victory for the defending champions as the duo put on a match-defining 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

India, however, will be missing the services of their last match’s top-scorer against arch-rivals Pakistan as Jadeja has been ruled out of the continental event with a knee injury. Whereas, their right-arm pacer Avesh Khan will also miss the anticipated clash due to fever.

The Green Shirts, however, who seek revenge to their last week’s bitter defeat at the hands of their arch-rivals India, sustained an alike setback as their young right-arm pacer Shahnawaz Dahani has been sidelined from the all-important clash with a side strain.

Despite Dahani’s unavailability, Pakistan still have two right-arm pacers – Mohammad Hasnain and Hasan Ali, who can fill into the Playing XI as suitable replacement.

Following the injuries scare, both sides will now be heavily relying on their top-order despite Babar Azam being out of touch, having managed to amass 19 in two matches.

On the other side, Pakistan will be hoping that their spin department works flawlessly and will be overjoyed if Naseem Shah manages to match his performance from the previous time the two Asian powerhouses met.

Before taking the field in a much-anticipated clash India are currently unbeaten in the tournament with two victories in two matches against Pakistan and Hong Kong respectively.

Pakistan, however, managed to win one game out of their two group fixtures against Hong Kong as they thrashed the associate side by a massive margin of 155 runs. The resounding victory might play a morale booster for the Green Shirts.
[totalpoll id=”240608″]

Apart from all these factors, another component that holds importance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the toss and due factor. It is often said the side winning the toss in UAE is more likely to win the match as well and the stats too proved it right from the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-10, India-8, Pakistan-2

KARACHI: With only a few hours left before the action begins at the glittering Dubai International Stadium for one of the biggest rivalries, cricket fever reaches its zenith as the two Asian giants and arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to lock horns today in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

In less than a year, the arch-rivals will meet again, and they could do so three more times in the current year.

The two sides last met in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 when Pakistan thrashed their arch-rivals India by a massive margin of 10 wickets to claim their maiden triumph over the Men in Blue in a world cup game.

The humiliating defeat at the hands of Pakistan and then New Zealand resulted in halting India’s chances to secure a semi-final berth in the tournament.

The Men in Blue, therefore, will now be seeking to avenge their bitter defeat.

India, however, were jolted by an injury scare ahead of Asia Cup 2022 as their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the continental event. Whereas, Pakistan also suffered an alike setback in the form of left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi ruling out due to a knee injury.

The Green Shirts then sustained another blow to their bowling department as Mohammad Wasim Jr also ruled out with an injury. His ouster left Pakistan with a relatively inexperienced fast bowling attack out of which will be a debutant Naseem Shah in a high-voltage clash. The spin attack will be the key point for the side that features Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

Despite Bumrah’s unavailability, India still have a rather strong attack, having the likes of Bhuveneshwar Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Both sides will be heavily relying on their top-order. Pakistan on the trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman. Whereas, India will be hoping for their top four – Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav – to fire.

Before taking the field in a much-anticipated clash India played 22 T20Is in the ongoing year and lost only four out of them. The top-ranked T20 side did not lose any series in the same period.

Pakistan, on the other hand, played only one T20I in 2022, that was against Australia back in April and lost by three wickets.
[totalpoll id=”240412″]

Apart from all these factors, another component that holds importance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the toss and due factor. It is often said the side winning the toss in UAE is more likely to win the match as well and the stats too, proved it right last time round in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:

Asia Cup: Matches-14, India-8, Pakistan-5, NR-1

LAHORE: Local cueist Mubashir Raza marked an exceptional comeback in the final against Sharjeel Mehmood to win the SAG Snooker League 2022-23.

In an epic final between the two cueists, the local cueist Mubashir emerged victorious as he sealed a thrilling 5-4 victory over Sharjeel in the Best of Nine.

The eventful final rolled into action with Mubashir taking off flamboyantly as he secured the first frame to secure an early lead of 1-0. The two cueists, however, remained involved in a see-saw battle for the first four frames as their scores remained even at 2-2.

Sharjeel then took a dominating 3-2 lead in the fifth frame before moving one frame within the victory in the next. Mubashir, on the other hand, stunned his opponent with an astounding comeback as he cut the former’s lead by claiming the next two frames and forced a decider.

The decider of the final embarked with Sharjeel leading with 36-6 with five reds left on the table but missed to continue his break and left the table open for his opponent.

Having found the opportunity to make his way again in the hunt, Mubashir pounded by targeting the black to keep up with the mounting lead and in the end, emerged victorious with the scores of 52-36.

Following his victory, the Mr 147 of Pakistan – Mubashir, made it to the list of 64 players of the Pakistan contingent to qualify for the upcoming Q School 2 Asia & Oceania.

READ: Hong Kong thump UAE to join India, Pakistan in Asia Cup Group A

FULDA: Austrian star Albin Ouschan avenged his World Pool Championship final defeat to American Shan Van Boening as he defeated the latter 13-11 in an enthralling final to lift the inaugural European Open Pool Championship.

In a rollercoaster final, Ouschan held his nerves calm to edge past van Boening 13-11 in the Best of 25 racks.

A dry break from world No. 1 Van Boening after 10-10 allowed Ouschan to clear the table and move two racks within to victory and history.

Van Boening, on the other hand, did not hold back and seized the opportunity to cut Ouschan’s lead at 11-11 as the latter left the two close to the pocket in a deep safety battle.

The top-ranked pool player then made a costly error in the 23rd rack as his safety left him gutted and leaving the ball in hand to Ouschan, who did well to put himself on the hill at 12-11.

The thrilling final seemed to have taken a sharp turn and it appeared to be heading for a hill-hill situation when Van Boening made an excellent bank to make the three. A costly error on the five, however, bolstered Ouschan a chance to seal a thrilling 13-11 victory.

🇦🇹💪 Albin Ouschan is the European Open champion!

He's beaten Shane van Boening 13-11 in one of the most exciting finals we've ever seen!#EuropeanOpenPool 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/y9zuD7fJNt

— Matchroom Pool (@MatchroomPool) August 14, 2022

READ: Carreno Busta halts Hurkacz finals win streak with Montreal triumph

BLETCHLEY: Pakistan’s professional snooker player Asjad Iqbal will take on England’s Mark Joyce in British Open 2022 qualifiers on August 13.

National cueist Asjad, who became the second Pakistani player after Muhammad Asif to turn pro in June this year following his exceptional run in the Q School Asia-Oceania, will be starting his World Snooker Tour (WST) campaign on August 13.

As the British Open 2022 qualifiers commenced on Tuesday, 80 cueists from around the world will be in action, in a bid to make it to the main round, comprising significant names in the sport.

Qualifiers for the @CazooUK British Open start this morning and run until Sunday!

Mink Nutcharut and Stephen Hendry are among those in action today 👇 #BritishOpen

— WST (@WeAreWST) August 9, 2022

The qualifiers for the event will take place from August 9 to August 14, while another Pakistan professional cueist Muhammad Asif was missing from the initial draws.

It is apropos to mention here that the main round of British Open 2022 will embark on September 26 and will conclude on October 2. China’s Zhao Xintong will be defending his title.

READ: Pakistan finishes at 18th as Commonwealth Games 2022 concludes