September 26, 2003	Friday	Rajab 28, 1424

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KARACHI, Sept 25: An inspired Amit Parwani continued his spectacular run in 17th Latif Masters snooker championship on Thursday when he dethroned cousin Naveen Perwani to set the final date with top seed Khurram Agha.

Highly rated Amit, who had under performed in past decade, reached his first final of a major national ranking event when he came from 1-2 and 2-3 down, to turn the table on fourth seed Naveen Perwani 6-4 after four-hour and 15 minute encounter at a jampack Karachi Club Billiards Hall.

In the other semifinal, Pakistan number Khurram Agha returned to top form after losing his last league tie 4-2 to Naveen, to hand out former national champion Farhan Mirza of Punjab a 6-2 defeat.

The best of 13-frame final break-off at 2.00 p.m. on Friday.

It was contrasting victories in the semifinal for Amit and Khurram but it saw quality snooker from two cueists.

Amit ranked 13th nationally showed determination and fighting qualities during his marathon tie to emerge winner.

Lanky Amit started in a confident fashion to take the opening frame with a break of 38. But experienced international Naveen draw level with a neatly chalked break of 53 and added the third to forge 2-1 ahead.

Slowing down the tempo, Amit pulled the fourth frame to even terms. Naveen, again put his opponent in trouble by grabbing frame number five to take 3-2 lead.

After struggling a bit in the start, Amit for the first time got upper hand when despite a strong challenge and break of 50 from Naveen took the sixth frame to make it three-all.

Amit for the first time showed the domination took the lead by pocketing the 7th frame 77-16. A brilliant break of saw Naveen tied the match 4-4.

As Naveen started to show the nerves under pressure Amit showed flashes of dazzling potting, took the 9th frame 73-01 and he sealed the fate of the semifinal when he gleefully took the 10th frame 63-29.

In other pre-final, Khurran made whirlwind start against 7th ranked Farhan by racing to 3-0 lead including the breaks of 40, 67 and 40.

Lahore-born Farhan though snatched fourth and sixth frame with a break of 68 but Khurram cruised into final by picking up the next two frames. Semifinal results: Amit Parwani (Sindh) bt Naveen Perwani (Sindh) 6-4 93-17, 37-79, 11-78, 66-34, 20-70, 79-69, 73-17, 21-77, 69-48, 63-37; Khurram Agha (KPT) bt Farhan Mirza (Punjab) 6-2 69-17, 98-13, 74-08, 48-65, 77-16, 24-101, 73-01, 63-28.—APP