RIYADH: Defending champion Ahsan Ramzan and Mohammad Hasnain Akhtar got off to a flying start in the Under21 category during the ACBS Asian U-21 and 6-Red Men`s Snooker Championship in Riyadh on Thursday.

The 18-year-old Ahsan, who won the Under-21 title last year in Tehran, thrashed Talal Alanazi of Saudi Arabia 3-0 while Hasnain also whitewashed another Saudi Arabian player Abdullah Algabbani in straight frames 3-0.

Ahsan, the 2022 world amateur champion, had a comfortable outing against Alanazi as the Pakistani player secured the first frame 83-05 and followed it up with 103-01 victory with a break of 70 to go 2-0 up.

Ahsan wrapped up the triumph shortly as he again made a brilliant break of 57 to secure the frame, 107-0, and the match.

Meanwhile, Hasnain made one 50-plus break en route to an easy 65-22, 71-07, and 89-0 (52) over Algabbani.

The Pakistani duo`s impressive performance sets the tone for the team event and 6-red championship, where national champion Asjad Iqbal and Awaisullah Munir, finalist in the ACBS Asian Championship final held in Doha in February this year, will also participate.

The championship will conclude on Tuesday.-Agencies