KARACHI: The 41st National Snooker Championship turned out to be the most competitive and surprising event in recent years as Mohammad Bilal became the new national champion after beating Sohail Shehzad 7-5 in the final.
Bilal rallied from two frames down to triumph in the decider on Saturday at the Movenpick Hotel in Karachi.
Shehzad, who had beaten veterans Mohammad Sajjad and Mohammad Asif respectively in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, got off to a good start as he led 4-2 at one stage, and was all set to march towards victory.
But Bilal refused to back down as he hung on even after trailing 5-3. The Punjab-based cueist held his nerve to win the ninth frame 67-54, after which he sealed victory by claiming four consecutive frames — with the last-frame win coming after a 101-point break.
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Bilal won by a scoreline of 46-58, 17-98 (69), 77-45, 84-15, 54-77 (54), 07-81 (81), 77-27, 25-77, 67-54, 84-41 (71), 70-37 (64), 101-0 (101).
Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) President Alamgir Sheikh said he was ecstatic that lesser-known players are coming up in the form of Bilal and Shehzad.
“It’s probably one of the most outstanding national championships in my career,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “The competitiveness can be gauged by the many upsets witnessed in this tournament.”
The official commended the 16 century-breaks recorded in the championship. “This is the best tally in a single national championship,” said Sheikh. “It’s a clear indicator that Pakistan snooker and cueists are only improving with each passing day.”
Sheikh further said that both Bilal and Shehzad will play in the upcoming Asian Championship in April, courtesy of finishing as the winner and runner-up. “If given another slot, we could send Asif as well,” he added.
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