National Snooker Championship: Unheralded Afzal shocks defending champion

Shahid loses 4-3 on day 3, his first defeat of the event.

KARACHI: Defending champion Shahid Aftab suffered a shock 4-3 defeat at the hands of Mohammad Afzal in a marathon battle at the National Snooker Championship, underway at the Karachi Gymkhana. 

Shahid, who won both his matches in the event prior to the loss, went down 59-32 in the opening frame before wining the next three 79-29, 76-39 and 62-50. However, Afzal, responded by winning the fifth frame 61-42. The inexperienced cueist then held his nerves, claiming the next two frames 71-62 and 71-64 for the win.

Sajjad, Gir, Imran cruise

Meanwhile, Mohammad Sajjad continued his brilliant show as he, as well as top-seed Imran Shahzad and Vishan Gir, recorded victories.

Gir bounced back to beat Bilawal Agha 4-2 after losing his second match a day earlier. Gir won the first three frames 80-60, 78-42 and 96-01. He dropped the next two 47-72 and 29-70 but sealed the win after winning the sixth frame 60-25.

Sajjad beat Abdul Rauf 4-1, winning the opening two frames 74-1 and 80-13 before losing the third 58-49. He then knocked off the next two frames 60-3 and 73-3.

Imran beat Zahoor Ahmed 4-1, while former world amateur champion Mohammad Yousuf lost another match in the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2012.