Snooker: Ken Doherty remains hopeful despite shock loss to Pakistan

Former world champion Doherty slipped up in a one-frame singles match against Sahid Aftab, who also beat Fergal O'Brien.

Aftab and Muhammad Sajjad teamed up to beat the Irish pair in the doubles as Pakistan won the best-of-five-frames Group A match 3-2.

However, Doherty believes Ireland can come through their group to reach the quarter-finals.

"We're very disappointed to lose but it's amazing that we both made a century break each but lost the match 3-2," said Doherty, who made 111 in frame one, while O'Brien scored 101 in the fifth frame.

""There will be a lot of shocks and surprises and it's very hard to get into rhythm, especially with the doubles match.

"It's a disappointing start but every frame counts so that's a good thing so if we beat Germany or Egypt 4-1 or 5-0 then we're right back in it. Pakistan and India always have good cueists and they have a tradition of producing good players over the years."

Scotland are also in Group D and viewed Ireland as their main rivals. The Scottish team - consisting of John Higgins and Stephen Maguire - are seeded second and among the favourites to win the trophy, and will open today with a match against Poland, who won 3-2 against Hong Kong yesterday. The Poles were among the nations to qualiy for the event, and will be represented by Krzysztof Wrobel and 15-year-old Kacper Filipiak who took a frame of Marco Fu in yesterday's excellent victory.

Also in Group D are Thailand's second team of Passakorn Sunwannawat and Thepchaiya Un-nooh, who yesterday defeated Afghanistan 3-2. The PTT-EGAT-sponsored event, in Bangkok, is the first snooker World Cup to be staged since 1996, when Ireland - with a more youthful Doherty and O'Brien in the team - lost to Scotland in the final.

The format for the early stages sees each player in the two-man teams play singles frames against both players on the other side, plus a doubles frame.

Brazil overcame Belgium 3-2 in yesterday's other match, in Group C.