Pakistan’s cueists delivered a strong performance at the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship in Bahrain, as Shahid Aftab outclassed India’s Manan Chandra in a dominant display. Both Shahid Aftab and Mohammad Asif have now progressed to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Shahid Aftab Outplays India’s Manan Chandra
In one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage, Pakistan’s Shahid Aftab secured a clean 3-0 victory over India’s Manan Chandra, not dropping a single frame. His impressive frame scores were 90-17, 59-46, and 105-46, showing total control and consistency throughout the match.
This win not only gave Aftab a psychological edge but also helped him secure a direct spot in the pre-quarterfinals of the championship.
Mixed Results for Mohammad Asif
Meanwhile, Mohammad Asif, Pakistan’s other top contender in the tournament, had a tough outing in his final group match. He faced Brijesh Damani of India and suffered a straight-frame defeat, losing 0-3 with frame scores of 66-39, 66-0, and 79-41.
Despite the loss, Asif has still managed to advance to the last 22 players in the knockout phase, keeping his hopes alive in the tournament.
Pakistan Advances to Knockout Stage
Following the conclusion of the group stage matches on Day 2 of the event in Bahrain, both Pakistani players have earned spots in the next round:
Shahid Aftab: Advances directly to the Pre-Quarterfinals
Mohammad Asif: Moves into the Round of 22
The strong presence of Pakistan’s cueists in the knockout rounds highlights the country’s growing competitiveness in international snooker.
Final Thoughts: Momentum Builds for Pakistan
Shahid Aftab’s commanding win over a top Indian opponent, along with both Pakistani cueists advancing to the knockout stage, shows that Pakistan is building solid momentum in the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship. All eyes will now be on the knockout stage, where both players will look to bring home glory.
