Pakistan's Asif outclasses Israeli to qualify for IBSF World Snooker pre-quarters

Pakistan’s top cueist Mohammad Asif has knocked out Israel’s Shachar Ruberg to qualify for the pre-quarterfinal of IBSF World Snooker Championship currently taking place in Antalya, Turkey.

Asif kept control on his nerves and continued in top form against his Israeli opponent to come back from a deficit of 2-3 to win the round-of-32 match with a score of 5-3.

Asif started the match confidently by taking the first frame with a score of 65-9. However, Sachar Ruberg played a break of 96 in the second frame to make the score 1-1. Israeli cueist extended his lead 2-1 after taking the third frame with a score of 75-47.

In the fourth frame however, Asif seemed to be in complete control and he didn’t allow his opponent to pot even a cherry as he leveled the match 2-2 by taking the 4th frame for 93-0.

Read more: IBSF World Snooker Championship: Pakistan's Asif in round of 32 as three others out

The Israeli cueist got the lead once again in the 5th frame but then in following three consecutive frames he was outclassed by Asif as Pakistani cueist completed a 5-3 win.

While Mohammad Asif won 6th and 7th frames comprehensively with scores of 62-19 and 74-17 by playing breaks of 54 and 74 in the respective frames, he had to face a challenge in the 8th frame where things turned in his favor in final five colors.

Asif won the match with the scores of 65-9, 23-109, 47-75, 93-0, 20-51, 62-19, 74-17 and 66-55.

The Pakistani number one cueist will now face Australia’s James Mifsud in round-of-16. The match is scheduled to cue-off at 9:00pm Pakistan time on Thursday night.