Meet the Glasgow curry shop boss representing Pakistan at bowls

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Scottish bowler Jason Banks is fond of the Alishan Tandoori in Glasgow. But he knows it is best to avoid it this week.

Why? Because Pakistan's Mohammed 'Chico' Qureshi - who Banks will face in the Commonwealth Games men's singles on Friday - runs the restaurant.

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While Banks was the first Team Scotland athlete to compete at these Games - as he defeated Robert Simpson of Jamaica in straightsets - you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise, as the well-supported Qureshi took to the portable rink at the SEC Centre in the session prior.

Pakistan was the name on the back of his shirt, but the 67-year-old restaurateur - who competed at the 2014 Games - has called Glasgow home for over 50 years.

It was something of a dream for Qureshi to go again in a second home Games after taking to the outdoor green at Kelvingrove 12 years ago.

A member at Glasgow Indoor Bowling Club - just round the corner from his restaurant - he had been putting in the hours to be ready for the conditions awaiting him in his opening match against Wales' Ross Owen.

Unfortunately, it did not quite go to plan as he lost in straight sets - 12-5 and 17-0.

"That's the worst game I've ever played," a still upbeat Qureshi told BBC Scotland. "It was very tricky to get going. The more I was trying, the worse I was getting."

All is far from lost, though, with four Group C games still to go.

On the carpet, Qureshi is hoping for much improvement. Off it, he is not sure if he has scared his supporters away.

"I had a few here," he said. "But, with my performance, I don't think they'll come back again!"

As long as they keep coming back to the restaurant, though. Because, for now, they have lost the custom of Banks.

The former world number one - who held the world indoor singles, pairs and mixed pairs titles last year - has been known to dine in Glasgow's southside, but he is heading elsewhere for now.

"I'm a bit scared to go back this week in case he puts something in my food," the 30-year-old from Inverurie joked. "So I'll stay away just now."

Banks faces Qureshi at 14:45 on Friday.

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