Awais Munir and Asjad Iqbal Shine in Snooker World Cup

KARACHI: The excitement surrounding the Snooker World Cup is palpable as Pakistani cueists Asjad Iqbal and Awais Munir kick off their campaign with remarkable victories in Mongolia. This prestigious tournament not only showcases the best talent in snooker but also serves as a platform for players to demonstrate their skills on an international stage.

On the first day of the Snooker World Cup, both Iqbal and Munir displayed exceptional talent, winning all their matches without dropping a single frame. Asjad Iqbal started strong, defeating Mongolia's Batarkhuu Naranhuu with a convincing score of 3-0. The frames concluded with scores of 71-38, 71-51, and 110-32, highlighting Iqbal's dominance in the game.

Following Iqbal's impressive performance, Awais Munir also showcased his prowess by winning his first match against Mongolia’s Kash Uchjir. Munir's frame scores were 60-17, 62-12, and 81-09, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable player. In his second match, Munir continued his winning streak by defeating Oman’s Hussain Al-Wati, again without losing a frame, with scores of 68-06, 101-75-12, and 83-15.

Both players departed from Karachi on Thursday, eager to compete not only in the Snooker World Cup but also in the World 6-Red Snooker Championship. Munir’s coach, Shoaib Arif, expressed confidence in his player’s abilities, stating, “As a coach, I can say Awais Munir is well prepared for the tournaments and by the will of Almighty Allah, he will succeed and bring joy to the nation.” This sentiment reflects the high hopes pinned on Munir, who has already made history as the only Pakistani cueist to reach the finals in his first three international tournaments, securing one gold and two silver medals in the process.

In July, Munir achieved a significant milestone by winning the Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship, defeating Hong Kong’s Nansen Wan in the final with a score of 6-3. His journey to the final was marked by a thrilling semi-final match against countryman Asjad Iqbal, where he made a remarkable comeback after trailing 0-2, ultimately winning five consecutive frames.

The success of Iqbal and Munir not only brings pride to Pakistan but also inspires young snooker enthusiasts across the nation. Their achievements serve as a reminder that with dedication and hard work, dreams can be realized on the global stage. As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly await more thrilling performances from these talented cueists, hoping they will continue to make their country proud.