Hossein Vafaei under scrutiny for ‘unwise’ 147 decision against Ding Junhui at World Snooker Championship 2023

Hossein Vafaei's «unwise» decision to chase a 147 in his World Championship first-round match against Ding Junhui could be perceived as an «insult», according to Eurosport expert Neal Foulds. Vafaei made a brilliant start to the concluding session of his match with Ding at the Crucible on Monday. Ad Having trailed 5-4 coming into the session, he rattled off three quick-fire frames behind breaks of 117, 122 and 68 as he threatened to take total control of the match.

World ChampionshipO'Sullivan told to 'always enjoy it' as White reflects on keys of snooker longevity2 HOURS AGO In frame 13 he had potted eight reds and eight blacks to open up a 56-point lead and set up a maximum opportunity. However, he ran out of position and despite not having won the frame, he played an exhibition shot to get the ball up an down through baulk to get position on the black to continue his maximum tilt. It was an effort that Foulds on commentary called a “sensational” shot, but he also added it was “unwise with the frame up for grabs”, adding that Ding might see it as an “insult”.

And so it proved as Vafaei then missed the black off the spot to allow Ding back to the table. “I can’t believe what I am seeing,” said Foulds after Vafaei's round-the-table shot to get back on the black. “It is a sensational shot but perhaps unwise with the frame up for grabs.

«He is trying to pot reds and blacks — I think he has made his intentions very known. Incredible shot. »Ding might take this as a bit of an insult — if a chance came, he might feel that he could still win this frame if he ever gets back to the table." Vafaei then missed the black.

“There you are,” said Foulds as the crowd gasped. “Maybe that was an unwise shot selection. He is having fun