KARACHI: Top-seed Imran Shahzad was thrashed 4-0 by Vishan Gir at the Jubilee Insurance 37th National Snooker Championship at Karachi Gymkhana yesterday.
Imran, who bagged successive titles last year to maintain his top ranking, never settled against a spirited Gir as the Karachi-based cueist hit breaks of 65 and 64 to win the first two frames 88-29 and 68-15 before finishing the match with frames of 61-04 and 67-34.
Experienced cueists, including former world amateur champion Mohammad Yousuf, Naveen Perwani, Asif Toba and Abu Saim, also suffered shaky starts, losing their opening matches. However, defending champion Shahid Aftab enjoyed a winning start to his campaign after a tense 4-3 win over Nauman Awam.
Former champion Mohamamd Sajjad handed a 4-0 drubbing to Ali Reza. Sharjeel Mehmood scored the first century of the championship as he overcame Shafiullah 4-3.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2012.
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