Snooker: Akbar sets eyes on national title
Defending champion to face Toba in final today.
Defending champion to face Toba in final today. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Defending champion Hamza Akbar is set to face Mohammad Asif Toba in the final of the Jubilee Insurance 39th National Snooker Championship on Monday, at the Karachi Gymkhana.
The 20-year-old overcame Asjad Iqbal 6-4 in the semi-final, whereas Toba put up a brilliant fight to outclass Sohail Shehzad 6-1 on Sunday.
The cueists from Punjab dominated the championship that featured players from around Pakistan in eight groups.
By reaching the final, both Akbar and Toba have booked their place in the Asian Snooker Championship that is scheduled to take place next month in the UAE.
“I needed to win this match — it’s my biggest win as I felt more pressure playing the last-four encounter,” Akbar told The Express Tribune.
“I had to make sure that I won the game in order to represent Pakistan in the Asian Championship. I’m relaxed and I believe my game will improve in the final.”
Earlier, Akbar had defeated former IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif in his quarter-final match.
“The senior players have really encouraged me. Asif told me that I should now put my complete focus on winning the title.
Akbar also predicted that the final would be an exciting challenge.
“Toba and I used to practice together in Faisalabad, so I know his game. He is a tough opponent to beat.
“My aim is to better my record. My highest break was 88 and I want to improve on that. Muhammad Sajjad pulled off the highest break of 128 earlier in the tournament and I want to surpass him.”
The final will take place on Saturday, with commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddique as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2014.
Defending champion Hamza Akbar is set to face Mohammad Asif Toba in the final of the Jubilee Insurance 39th National Snooker Championship on Monday, at the Karachi Gymkhana.
The 20-year-old overcame Asjad Iqbal 6-4 in the semi-final, whereas Toba put up a brilliant fight to outclass Sohail Shehzad 6-1 on Sunday.
The cueists from Punjab dominated the championship that featured players from around Pakistan in eight groups.
By reaching the final, both Akbar and Toba have booked their place in the Asian Snooker Championship that is scheduled to take place next month in the UAE.
“I needed to win this match — it’s my biggest win as I felt more pressure playing the last-four encounter,” Akbar told The Express Tribune.
“I had to make sure that I won the game in order to represent Pakistan in the Asian Championship. I’m relaxed and I believe my game will improve in the final.”
Earlier, Akbar had defeated former IBSF World Champion Mohammad Asif in his quarter-final match.
“The senior players have really encouraged me. Asif told me that I should now put my complete focus on winning the title.
Akbar also predicted that the final would be an exciting challenge.
“Toba and I used to practice together in Faisalabad, so I know his game. He is a tough opponent to beat.
“My aim is to better my record. My highest break was 88 and I want to improve on that. Muhammad Sajjad pulled off the highest break of 128 earlier in the tournament and I want to surpass him.”
The final will take place on Saturday, with commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddique as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2014.