Muaz needs to find his magic and claw back into contention

PETALING JAYA: Ahmad Muaz Fishol was Malaysia’s top performer in last year’s Brunswick Euro Challenge (BEC).

But the 24-year-old could face an early exit from the European Bowling Tour tournament in Munich unless he finds his way back to the top 64 before the qualifying rounds end tomorrow.

He knocked down a six-game total of 1,362 to improve on his overnight scores of 1,353 but it was not enough to keep him in the pro- visional qualifiers’ list.

He slipped from 48th to 67th and is the only national team member sitting below the cut-off line.

Muaz has until tomorrow to try to get back in as the current standings is bound to change daily.

Bowlers make multiple attempts before the top 64 make the cut for the tournament proper on Sunday.

Adrian Ang, the runner-up in 2010, who struck his career’s 21st perfect game for a 1,514 series on Wednesday, remains joint second with Shayna Ng of Singapore while the leader is also unchanged with Thailand’s Annop Arromsaranon (1,525) continuing to spearhead the intensified qualification amongst the 219 players.

Malaysia’s presence is certainly encouraging as there are as many as four players in the top 12, which guarantees a direct passage into the second stage of the Finals.

Timmy Tan (1,498), Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek (1,485) and Esther Cheah (1,465) are sixth, eighth and 11th respectively.

Shalin Zulkifli (1,442, 18th) and Sin Li Jane (1,435, 22nd), Natasha Roslan (1,421, 32nd), Rafiq Ismail (1,408, 37th), Alex Liew (1,402, 38th) and Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (1,399, 41st) are also on course to qualify.

Among the top international bowlers in the fray this week include American PBA Tour stars Parker Bohn III, Tommy Jones and Rash and defending champion Dominic Barrett of England.