Bowling in squad two, the European Youth Championships silver medallist started with games of 204, 279 and 214 and knew he needed at least a closing 247 to tie squad one frontrunner Chris Via of the United States.

A 256 ensured he heads the 81-strong field with a total of 953 and earned him the men’s daily high series award of $300 (£235/€280) from the Qatar Bowling Federation.

Via finds himself in second place with 944, including games of 242, 211, 233 and 258, for an average of 236.

Malaysia’s Rafiq Ismail was just six pins behind Via in squad one to end the opening day in third place with 938 and an average of 234.50. 

The women are due to contest their first block of four games tomorrow morning.

This will be followed by the men’s squad one playing out their second block.

The men’s squad two are set to bowl their second block on Tuesday (December 6). 

After four days of qualifying, the top 32 players of each gender will advance.