DOHA: Pakistan`s Mohammad Asif edged closer to a historic double after surviving a thrilling prequarterfinal match against Thailand`s Dechawat Poomjaeng at the IBSF Master World Snooker Championship on Friday.

The veteran cueist won 4-3, with frame scores of 64-45, 33-68, 37-72, 94(94)-0, 65-54(53), 14-96(55), 68-35.

Asif struggled initially, losing two of the first three frames, but a break of 94 in the fourth frame revitalised his campaign.

He then took the fifth frame, despite Poomjaeng`s 53-break. However, the Thai player forced a deciding frame with a dominant 55-break in the sixth. In the nail-biting seventh frame, Asif held his nerve to seal the match.

Asif, fresh from his World Snooker Championship triumph, will now face Philip Williams of Wales in the quarterfinals.-Agencies