Shahid shocks Imran to win national snooker title

Faisalabad cueist beats Pakistan number one 8-2 in the final of the National Snooker Championship.

KARACHI: Mohammad Shahid caused an upset as he clinched his maiden National Snooker Championship beating Pakistan number one Imran Shahzad 8-2 in the final at the Karachi Gymkhana.

The 29-year-old from Faisalabad, who entered the tournament as a qualifier, ended Imran’s fine run leading into the final. With this win, Shahid confirmed a berth in the Asian Snooker Championship that will be held in April in India where he will be only cueist to represent Pakistan.

Imran, the country’s top cueist over the past few months, clinched the opening frame 90-44 before Shahid took control. He hit a break of 97 in the second frame, the joint highest-break of the tournament with Sohail Shahzad, to level the match and then won the next four 70-7, 82-1, 86-0, 80-32 to take a 5-1 lead and put Imran out of the game.

The battle was not won yet as Imran reduced the deficit winning 78-40. But there was no looking back for Shahid as he maintained his domination and clinched the next three frames 81-42, 66-24, 67-44 to secure the victory.

“I was under pressure but I’m happy that I held my nerves well,” said Shahid after the victory. “The win against the number one cueist will definitely boost my confidence for future assignments.”

Meanwhile, Shahid said that he was hopeful of delivering his best in the Asian Championship.

“It’s a great honour for me and I will not let the country down in the event.”

On the other hand, Imran seemed disappointed with his performance.

“I started off well but lost rhythm soon afterwards. I should commend Shahid who showed great skills,” said Imran, who beat Asian number two Mohammad Sajjad in a one-sided encounter to reach the final.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2011.