Rafiq will roll with the punches in tough PBA stint

KUALA LUMPUR: Rafiq Ismail’s stint with the Professional Bowlers’ Association (PBA) is proving to be a steep learning curve.

The 21-year-old bowler, who is on a six-week tour with the PBA, failed to make the top-16 cut in the Jonesboro Open in Arkansas as he scored 2,934 pinfalls in the 14-game qualifying round to be placed 22nd out of 83 bowlers on Thursday.

Last year, the young bowler finished third in the tournament.

At the PBA Indianapolis Open in Indiana from Feb 19-24, he failed to make the top-24 cut and was placed 78th with 3,650 pinfalls in the 18-game qualifying round.

He also did not make the top-24 cut in the 18-game qualifying round in the PBA Players Championship in Ohio on Feb 15 when he managed only 3,702 pinfalls to place 57th out of 120 competitors.

Rafiq is certainly finding it tough competing with the big boys as he admits he lacks the quickness to adapt to lane conditions.

“It was a slow start in the first round but I picked up in the second round. However, it was too little too late,” said the world champion.

“The experience is good but it’s tough out here. The first tournament was pretty hard while the second and third tournaments weren’t that easy too.

“I had to adapt to two different oiling patterns in the first two tournaments. It was mixed oiling, and I struggled.”

Rafiq vowed to do better in the World Series of Bowling in Allen Park, Michigan, from March 10 to 21.

“The top bowlers here make their adjustments to the lanes quickly. They are experienced and I believe, with more experience, I can do well here too,” added Rafiq, who is playing in the PBA Tour for the third straight season.

He has claimed two top-three results thus far, having also finished third at the WBT Thailand – an event jointly sanctioned by the PBA Tour – in Bangkok last year.