ULAANBAATAR: Pakistani cueist Asjad Iqbal shocked the world as he registered an upset victory over the defending champion Michael Georgiou to qualify for the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship semi-final here on Tuesday.

In the quarter-final match, Asjad came out victorious with a score of 5-2 against Georgiou. The frame scores were as follows: 38-15, 0-38, (40)41-0, (43)43-12, (55)62-0, 12-31, 38-0.

Previously, Asjad Iqbal secured his spot in the quarter-final with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Mongolia’s Lkhagvasuren Tumurchudur. The frame scores were 73-0, 08-56, 02-54, 57-18, 34-21, 44-0, 05-55, 36-04.

Asjad is now set to face India’s Malkeet Singh in the semi-final of the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship later today.

On the other hand, another Pakistani cueist Awais Muneer crashed out of the tournament after suffering a close defeat against Iran’s Siyavosh Mozayani.

Asjad earned a direct qualification for the pre-quarterfinal while Awais advanced to the last 20.

Asjad Iqbal triumphed over India’s Pandurangaiah 4-1, with frame scores of 41-32, 35-36, 75-08, 50(50)-09, 35-22.

Meanwhile, Awais Munir defeated Singapore’s Jia Jun Ong with the scoreline of 63-0, 65-0, 0-56, 36-02, 35-26.

However, in his next match, he was defeated by Israel’s Shachar Ruber. The frame scores were as follows: 16-43(43), 53-12, 43(43)-13, 8-64(64), 33-21, 12-40, 40-10.

Asjad Iqbal continued his dominant run as he edged past Iraq’s Alijalil Ali 4-3 with the frame scores of 39-23, 30-34, 66-0, 0-41, 1-54, 39-29, 63(58)-0.

A total of 40 players, participating in the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship, are divided into four groups. The top two players from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

The knockout stage matches will begin on September 22, with the last 20 and 16 rounds. The quarterfinals and semi-finals will take place on September 24, with the final match on September 25.

It is worth mentioning here that prior to the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship, Pakistan cueists Asjad Iqbal and Awais Munir participated in the IBSF Mongolia Snooker World Cup 2024.

The national players fared well in the tournament with Asjad securing the bronze medal.