ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan cueists Asjad Iqbal and Awais Munir on Saturday, made triumphant starts to their respective IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship campaigns.

Asjad secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Mongolia’s Ulziitogtokh Davaasuren. Asjad dominated his opponent in all departments and also registered two 75-plus breaks. The scoreline of his thumping victory read: 50-18, 75(75)-0, 82(75)-0, 0-73(73), 64(61)-0.

Meanwhile, Awais came from behind to claim a 4-2 victory over Mongolia’s Mendsaikhan Bat-Erdene. He displayed nerves of steel after being two frames down and won three consecutive frames to seal the victory. The scoreline of his stunning win read: 64(64)-0, 20-45, 0-54(47), 54-10, 53-21, 46-15.

Asjad Iqbal will now face India’s Pandurangaiah while Awais Munir will lock horns with Singapore’s Jia Jun Ong on the second day of the IBSF World 6 Red Snooker Championship on Sunday.

Later in the day, Asjad Iqbal is scheduled to face Iraq’s Alijalil Ali while Awais will square off against Israel’s Shachar Ruber.

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.