Humza recovers in U21 snooker event

Pakistan cueist loses opening match, beats Indian player in second.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s rising star Humza Akbar enjoyed a similar start to the 14th Asian U21 Snooker Championship as his teammate Mohammad Majid, losing the first match and then covering ground by winning his second at the Indore Tennis Club in India.

Humza, who had to wait two days before playing his first match at the event, was outgunned by Myanmar’s Ko Htet 4-2 with frame scores of 57-48, 13-73, 65-41, 87-00, 74-81 and 79-23.

However, the 19-year-old made amends in the next match by beating India’s Malkeet Singh in style with a 4-1 scoreline, earning himself  some breathing space in the five-member group.

The cueist, who was crowned the country’s youngest national champion, was in full flow against Malkeet, chalking up big breaks on his way to a convincing win. Humza had earlier impressed followers with a 120-point break in the national junior championship as well.

However, the 19-year-old was unlucky to miss out on the highest break of the event so far as he managed 96 points in the last frame with the highest break currently standing at 101, compiled by Thailand’s Boonyarit Keattikul.

Humza won with frame scores of 67-23, 11-58, 65-08, 89-06 and 100(96)-07 to regain his confidence ahead of tougher ties in the event.

His teammate, Majid, has so far won two matches out of three and is in a comfortable position to qualify for the knockout stages of the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2013.