Riyadh: Pakistan’s snooker team has secured place in semi-finals of Asian 15-Red Team Snooker Championship by defeating arch-rival India 3-0.

According to reports from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, national cueists Asjad Iqbal and Owais Munir led Pakistan to an easy victory in quarter-finals.  Winning team clinched first frame 63-35, followed by another victory in second frame with score of 75-22. In third frame, Pakistan overwhelmed India, winning 70-06. Pakistan will face Hong Kong in semi-finals. Championship, running until July 5, features 18 teams, including three teams from Saudi Arabia. On other hand, promoter Barry Hearn earlier had threatened to move the World Snooker Championship from its Sheffield home in favour of rotation of host venues potentially including Saudi Arabia. Viability of Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre to stage World Championship came into question ahead of latest edition of tournament, which started last weekend.

Seven-time champion Ronnie O’Sullivan suggested it should be moved to Saudi Arabia or China in order to maximise profit potential. Underlining issues with ageing venue, Iran’s Hossein Vafaei blasted conditions at Crucible, calling it “Smelly” and comparing practice room facilities to playing in garage after losing in first round to Judd Trump.