London, Aug 8 (IANS)  The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) started investigation into two Shanghai Masters qualifying matches due to their unusual betting patterns.The matches at the centre of the probe are Scot Ross Muir's 5-0 win over Thai player Thanawat Tirapongpaiboon and Egyptian Mohamed Khairy's 5-4 victory over Passakorn Suwannawat, also of Thailand, reports Xinhua.

WPBSA said in a statement that the investigation is a result of monitoring betting on snooker matches."The WPBSA are liaising with the Gambling Commission to establish the available facts surrounding betting in these matches. A decision will then be made regarding any further action necessary," the organisation said.