23rd November, Kuching: 2019 Penang Pesta Youth Open Masters champion, Megat Zaqrul Haikal of Malaysia topped the first block of the Open Masters qualifying rounds of the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2022 at Megalanes Sarawak, Batu Kawa.

The Malaysian National Youth squad member, Megat Azqrul amassed a whopping five-game total of 1256, averaging an impressive 251.2. PBA pro and Hall of Famer, Dominc Barrett of England, who had set the pace in the same qualifying squad, finished third with 1207.

2013 Asian Youth Singles gold medallist, Chong Jun Foo of Sarawak, Malaysia, who had led Squad A with 1245, stayed ahead of the Englishmen in second, just 11 pins behind Megat Zaqrul. Alyaa Addini Binte Zulamri and Mohd Uzair Irsyad, gave Malaysians a good start finishing in the top five with 1180 and 1167 respectively.

Debutant, Dena Buxton of Australia, who topped the final day Squad D with 1142, only managed tenth overall. Muhd Raul Haikal Mandra of Malaysia, who topped Squad C with 1137 ended up sharing 11th position with Muhd Syazirol of Malaysia, Chang Hsiang Yu of Chinese Taipei and Napat Buspanikonkul of Thailand.

Sarawakians, Haikal Hazlan and Kimberly Elainnie Anak Gun completed the top five with 1121 and 1104 respectively. The Open division leader, Megat Zaqrul also topped the Youth 26 & Under division, followed by Alyaa Addini in second and Lim Wan Ling in third.

The players in all four squads will resume with their second block of five games tomorrow. The top 60 finishers based on the 10-games qualifying round in the three seperate divisions, will make the cut for their respective Masters Finals on November 25.

Two special 'Joker Squads' will be staged at the end of each qualifying day in which their two games bowled in the first Joker squad can replace their two lower games scored in their first block and the additional two games bowled in the second Joker squad can replace their two lower games scored in their second block.

Eight games will be contested in each of the three Masters Finals. The top 3 based on the 8-game total in the Classified division will be declared the winners. The top 3 in the Youth 25 & under will make the cut for the stepladder shootout finals to determine the champion.