Asjad Iqbal beats India's Advani to reach IBSF World Cup 2025 semifinals
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The 34-year-old former national champion put on a dazzling show in the last eight, whitewashing India’s Pankaj Advani 4-0.
(Dunya News) - Pakistan's Asjad Iqbal continued his excellent performance at the IBSF Snooker World Cup 2025 by booking his spot in the semi-finals after a series of commanding displays at the Active Oman Sports and Entertainment Hub on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old former national champion put on a dazzling show in the last eight, whitewashing India’s Pankaj Advani 4-0. Asjad stormed into a winning lead with an 81 break to take the opening frame 100-0 while he won the second 92-37. He remained in full command in the third frame with a 68 break for a 117-16 victory and finished the match 83-21 in the fourth.
Asjad started his campaign by outclassing India’s Hussain Khan 3-0 in the last-32 stage with scores of 53(53)-44, 90-41, and 93(84)-9. In other matches, Egypt’s Mina Awad knocked Pakistan’s Mohammad Hasnain out 3-1, whereas Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif emerged victorious against the UAE’s Khalid Kamali 3-2 in an exciting duel (71(70)-77, 17-70(54), 77-74, 61(51)-45, 84-38).
Read also: Pakistan's Asjad Iqbal grabs bronze medal in Snooker World Cup
In the pre-quarterfinals, Asjad defeated Mina Awad 4-1 despite dropping the opening frame 62-21. He responded quickly with victories of 72(72)-11, 69(52)-29, 58-29, and sealed the match with a brilliant 104(104)-0 clearance. Mohammad Asif, on the other hand, bowed out of the event with a 4-2 loss to France’s Nicolas Mortreux 74-49, 46-57, 72(68)-28, 9-106(83), 73(73)-65(60), 85(55)-43.
Asjad will now go up against Mortreux in the semi-finals as he will look to improve upon his earlier bronze medal finish and keep Pakistan's hopes alive in the prestigious global event.
