Asif, Sajjad floored in quarter-finals

Shehzad continues impressive run in snooker ranking championship.


Our Correspondent September 24, 2013
IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif failed to respond to Imran Shehzad’s aggressive game play as he crashed out of the ranking championship in the quarter-final round. PHOTO: FILE EXPRESS

KARACHI: Top seed Imran Shehzad continued his impressive run in the 3rd Jubilee Insurance Ranking Snooker Championship, toppling IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif 5-3 in the quarter-final yesterday.

Shehzad played an aggressive match, racing to a 3-0 lead as he unsettled Asif to triumph with scores of 70-08, 74-39, 63-24, 41-65, 69-17, 42-76, 46-83 and 65-43.

Before starting his campaign in the event, Shehzad had said he was looking to win the title or at least reach the final in order to confirm his berth in Pakistan’s squad for the IBSF World Championship.

He will now face Shahid Aftab, who defeated youngster Amir Tariq 5-1 with a scoreline of 61-38, 73-25, 76-30, 30-55, 60-16, and 85-32 (81).

In another encounter, Abdul Sattar stunned seasoned campaigner Mohammad Sajjad with a 5-3 victory despite trailing 2-1 initially. Sattar registered a win with game scores of 58-48, 0-83, 60-68, 62-12, 68-33, 58-08, 53-69 and 67-53.

Muhammad Bilal continued to impress as he booked a semi-final date with Sattar after thrashing Khurram Agha 5-1 with games scores of 80-06, 69-56, 79-47, 0-76, 66-53 and 55-25.

PBSA pleads PSB for special grant

Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has once again pleaded to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to release special grants on time for the national team to participate in the IBSF World 6-Red Championship and World Team Event.

It will be held in Ireland from September 29-October 6, with Asif and Mohammad due to take part in the event.

“The Pakistan snooker team has been granted the necessary visas today by the Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Karachi to participate in the IBSF World 6-Red and World Team Event Snooker Championships,” read the PBSA official press release.

“The PBSA now awaits the release of the special grant from the PSB required to meet the expenses of the team.”

It further read that the association was in contact with Director General PSB Syed Amir Hamza Gilani, who has given assurances to the association of releasing 50% of the grant before the team’s departure, scheduled for September 28.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25th, 2013.

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