8th September, Kuching: Saiful Iman Shah Bin Abdullah of ABAS/Sarawak led the first block of the last squad at the Sarawak International Open Bowling Championships 2026, after improving his total with a Joker squad game relegating leader, Muhammad Zharfan Bin Shahidi into second spot.

Muhammad Zharfan had started the final squad of the day with a splendid 279 to lead fellow team-mate, Matthew Ong of Sunway Megalanes by six pins. Saiful almost became the second bowler of the tournament to roll a perfect game but missed by two pins for a 298 in the second game to take over the running.

Muhammad Ihsan Fikri of Malaysia moved up to second while Muhammad Zharfan dropped to third despite a respectable 231. But Muhammad Zharfan bounced back with 236 to regain the lead albeit just three pins ahead of Saiful Iman Shah in second.

The leader ended the block with 252 to lead the squad with 998. Phanupong Permpimol of Thailand stormed home to snatch second position with 991. Saiful Iman Shah stumbled to a 181 to drop down to fourth behind Aiden Lim Zen Yao moving up to third.

Saiful Iman Shah shot 248 in his Joker squad, replacing his 181 for a new block total of 1001 and regained top spot. Muhammad Zharfan settled for second while the Thai ended in third.

With all three squads combined, Squad A leader, Nur Syazwani Sahar remained in the lead of the Open Division with 1015. Izz Naqiuddin Putera also remain in second overall with 1011. Saiful Iman Shah finished third. Saiful also led the Classified Division ahead of Muhammad Zharfan.

Izz Naqiuddin Putera topped the 3DU Division, ahead of Saiful Iman Shah in second and perfect gamer, Tsen Fan Yew in third position with 998. Saiful Iman Shah topped both the U21 and Challenger Crown Divisions with his 1001 total.

Qualifying will resume with the second block over four games. Again there will be a second Joker Squad to be held after the final squad tomorrow for bowlers i=to improve and make the cut for their respective Masters finals. Top 60 in all of the five divisions will qualify.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kuching, Sarawak.