Shahid loses first snooker battle

Afghanistan’s Saleh shines in Asian championship with century break.

KARACHI:

Pakistan number one Shahid Aftab was off to a shaky start in the Asian Snooker Championship in Indore, India as he fell to Afghanistan cueist Mohammad Rais Senzahi in his opening Group C clash.

According to details made available, Shahid went down to Senzahi 4-2 in a highly-engaging battle. The Faislabad cueist, who heads the national rankings, started off positively by winning the first frame 62-52 but Senzahi, following an aggressive strategy, bounced back by claiming the next frame 64-34. The third frame saw a close fight between the two cueists before the Afghan wrapped up the next frame 63-56 to take a 2-1 lead.

Shahid made it 2-2 after he won the fourth frame 74-18 before conceding the next frame 56-43. The Pakistan number one gave his all in the sixth frame but the Afghan contestant sealed a 66-62 victory after winning a close battle.

Saleh annihilates Kuwaiti opponent

Meanwhile, former Pakistan champion Saleh Mohammad, who now represents Afghanistan, recorded an easy victory over Kuwait’s Yaqoub SM Al Enezi in a Group D clash.

The veteran cueist enjoyed a super start to his campaign as he outclassed his opponent following a flawless display that also included a century break. After winning the first two frames 79-1 and 63-28, Saleh smashed a break of 104 to win the third frame 122-19. He completed the 4-0 rout by winning the fourth frame 76-4.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2011.