Pakistan’s Hopes Dim as Asif Loses World Games Semi

Though denied a shot at gold, Pakistan’s cue master Muhammad Asif isn’t done yet he will battle for bronze later today, determined to return home with a medal from the World Games

CHENGDU: Pakistan’s cueist Muhammad Asif fell short of the final at the World Games snooker event on Wednesday, suffering a semi-final defeat to China’s Zhao Guodong in Chengdu.

World No. 14 Zhao proved too strong for the seasoned Pakistani, sealing a commanding 2–0 win to bring Asif’s impressive run to an end just one step away from the gold medal match. Pakistan has just one medal in the history of the competition a bronze in snooker, claimed by Shokat Ali at the 2001 World Games.

In a nail-biting encounter at the World Games in Chengdu, China, Muhammad Asif bounced back brilliantly to claim victory over Germany’s Alexander Vadau, 2-1, and advance to the quarterfinals. After losing the first frame 29-43, Asif unleashed a sensational 109-point break in the second frame, steamrolling to a 116-9 win. Riding the momentum, he sealed the deciding frame 67-32, leaving fans in awe of his resilience.

Notably, Muhammad Asif has been in stellar form lately, having won the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship title in Bahrain last month.

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