KARACHI, Sept 12: Hong Kong upset Malaysia 2-1 in the final while Pakistan claimed third position in the third Emarat International snooker championship which concluded here at Dubai Snooker Club Wednesday.

Malaysia had entered the final as the favourites as they had beaten Hong Kong 3-0 in their Group B fixture. But Hong Kong showed their best in the final and the Malaysians who had won the title here in 1999 had to settle with the runners-up slot, according to message received Thursday.

Pakistan came good again against United Arab Emirates (UAE) A in the playoff for the third position. Pakistan had earlier defeated UAE A in their Group A encounter.

Muhammad Shahab, UAE’s leading cueist, had tamed Pakistan number one Khurram Hussain Agha in a seven-frame thriller but Pakistan won thanks to Saleh Muhammad and Muhammad Yousuf who outplayed their respective rivals.

Saleh was too good for Muhammad Al Joker while Yousuf came good against Essa Al Syed. Both the Pakistanis won their matches by identical 4-2 scoreline.

Saleh won the match 44-89, 65-38, 59-56, 58-42, 35-60, 65-24 and in process posted a break of 57 in the fourth frame.

Yousuf defeated Essa Al Syed. Former ex-world champion Yousuf won 50-39, 19-68, 64-43, 62-20, 43-63, 56-36. Yousuf sealed the fate of the match by registering a break of 38 in the sixth frame.

Khurram Agha played well against UAE’s premier cuesit Muhammad Shahab but could not beat him. Shahab, who had breaks of 53 and 36 in the fourth and fifth frame, won it 36-61, 70-49, 83-8, 67-16, 0-70, 20-65, 73-52. ` Khurram recorded a break of 70 in the fifth frame and had one of 40 and 30 during the next two frames.

Earlier in the semifinal against Hong Kong, which Pakistan lost 1-2, Yousuf was guilty of missing a sitter in the fifth frame. Saleh had already won his match against Au Chi Wai.

Following were the results of the final (winners name first)

MALAYSIA bt HONG KONG 2-1 Chan Kwon Ming bt Ooi Fook Yuen 4-2, Fung Kwok Wai bt Sam Chong. Malaysia bt Hong Kong 2-1 4-2, Ng Ann Seng bt Au Chi Wai 4-2, 3rd-place play off:

PAKISTAN BT UAE A 2-1 Muhammad Yousuf bt Essa Al Syed (UAE A) 4-2; Saleh Muhammad (Pak) bt Muhammad Al Jokar (UAE A) 4-2; Khurram Agha lost to Muhammad Shahab 4-3.—APP