National Championship: Semi-finals line-ups confirmed
Sajjad, Iqbal are part of quartet still alive in competition
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Former Asian number two Muhammad Sajjad, Asjad Iqbal, Khurram Agha and Nadir Miraan will be in action in the semi-finals of the Jubilee Insurance National Championship 2017 at Karachi Gymkhana on Monday.
In the quarter-finals, Sajjad dominated Sohail Shehzad from start to finish, conceding only the third and sixth frames to triumph 5-2.
In contrast, Iqbal's last-eight win over Ahsan Javaid was a battling one as he dropped the opening frame 36-76 before equalising the tie by taking the second frame 64-38 with a break of 50.
Javaid regained the lead in the third frame 69-26 but found Iqbal equal to it again as he prevailed 80-0 in the fourth with a break of 68.
With the tie level at two frames apiece, Iqbal took over, claiming the next two frames 99-5 and 98-0, and even though Javaid threatened a comeback by taking the seventh frame 71-29, the former Pakistan number one player sealed the win with a 62-55 in the eighth frame to make his way to the semi-finals.
Iqbal will next face Miraan, who edged out Shahid Aftab 5-3 in the quarter-final, whereas Sajjad's final-four opponent will be Khurram Agha, who overcame Shahram Changezi 5-4 in the longest battle of the day.
The week-long National Championship featured 48 of the country's best cueists, with the two finalists guaranteed a place in the 33rd Asian Championship that will take place in Doha in April.
Former Asian number two Muhammad Sajjad, Asjad Iqbal, Khurram Agha and Nadir Miraan will be in action in the semi-finals of the Jubilee Insurance National Championship 2017 at Karachi Gymkhana on Monday.
In the quarter-finals, Sajjad dominated Sohail Shehzad from start to finish, conceding only the third and sixth frames to triumph 5-2.
In contrast, Iqbal's last-eight win over Ahsan Javaid was a battling one as he dropped the opening frame 36-76 before equalising the tie by taking the second frame 64-38 with a break of 50.
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Javaid regained the lead in the third frame 69-26 but found Iqbal equal to it again as he prevailed 80-0 in the fourth with a break of 68.
With the tie level at two frames apiece, Iqbal took over, claiming the next two frames 99-5 and 98-0, and even though Javaid threatened a comeback by taking the seventh frame 71-29, the former Pakistan number one player sealed the win with a 62-55 in the eighth frame to make his way to the semi-finals.
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Iqbal will next face Miraan, who edged out Shahid Aftab 5-3 in the quarter-final, whereas Sajjad's final-four opponent will be Khurram Agha, who overcame Shahram Changezi 5-4 in the longest battle of the day.
The week-long National Championship featured 48 of the country's best cueists, with the two finalists guaranteed a place in the 33rd Asian Championship that will take place in Doha in April.