Pakistani Cueist Shahid Aftab Clinches Victory, Asif Faces Defeat

MANAMA: At the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship, held at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain, Pakistani cueist Shahid Aftab displayed exceptional form, securing a decisive 3-0 win against India’s Manan Chandra in their Group B encounter on Monday.

Shahid Aftab’s Winning Streak

Shahid Aftab, having already qualified for the knockout stage following victories against Egypt’s Mohamed Noweir and Kuwait’s Abdullah Alyousef on Sunday, maintained his impressive performance by overpowering India’s Chandra, who also entered the match with two prior wins.

Match Highlights
  • Shahid initiated the match strongly, achieving a 68-point break to capture the first frame with a score of 90-17.
  • Despite a resilient effort from Chandra in the subsequent frame, Shahid Aftab secured a 59-46 victory.
  • Shahid dominated the final frame, winning 105-17 with a notable 48-point break.

This victory enabled Shahid Aftab to conclude the group stage with an unblemished record of three wins.

Asif’s Setback

In contrast, Muhammad Asif experienced a 3-0 loss against India’s Brijesh Damani in their Group C match.

Damani’s Dominance

Brijesh Damani maintained control throughout their match, achieving a scoreline of 66-39, 66-0, and 79-41, ensuring his undefeated status at the end of the group stage.

Earlier in the championship, Asif had a promising start, securing two consecutive victories on the opening day.

  • He started with a 3-0 triumph over Oman’s Haitham Bin Ali, recording frame scores of 89-33, 69-4, and 53-6.
  • Asif posted a break of 61 in the first frame and 46 in the second, reflecting his command at the table.
  • He continued his success with another 3-0 victory against Ireland’s Jay Chopra, winning the frames 68-33, 79-14, and 67-16.
  • Although he did not record significant breaks in this match, Asif’s consistent scoring and strategic play ensured his victory.