ULAANBAATAR: Pakistan`s Asjad Iqbal claimed a bronze medal at the Mongolia Snooker World Cup after a thrilling quarter-final victory and a narrow semi-final defeat on Wednesday.

In the quarter-finals, Asjad edged China`s Gao Yang 4-3 in a nail-biting contest. He dominated the opening frame with a 76-0 win, but Gao fought back to level. The 31-year-old Asjad sealed the win with a decisive 69-50 victory in the seventh frame.

Compatriot Awaisullah Muneer`s campaign ended with a 4-2 quarter-final loss to Iran`s Ali Gharahgozlou. Awaisullah, 30, struggled to contain Gharahgozlou`s potent breaks, including a 111(65) in the sixth frame.

In the semi-finals, Asjad, the current national champion, pushed Cyprus` Michael Georgiou to the limit, ultimately losing 5-4. Georgiou`s 135 break in the third frame proved crucial, while Asjad`s 76 and 65 breaks kept him in contention.

Georgiou will now face Gharahgozlou in final on Thursday.

Tuesday`s results saw Asjad and Awaisullah registering convincing wins in their pre-quarterfinal ties.

Asjad defeated Hong Kong`s Chang Yu Kiu 4-1 [08-89, 74-62(62), 71-12, 57-46, 71(68)-24], while Awaisullah overcame Chau Hon Man 4-2 [44-81, 80-08, 17-65, 88-42, 85(79)-05, 66-34].

-Agencies