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| October 26, 2003 | Sunday | Sha’aban 29, 1424 |
Saleh falters at last hurdle
KARACHI, Oct 25: Pakistan’s Saleh Muhammad faltered at the last hurdle as Pankaj Advani became the first Indian to win the the world snooker championship with a convincing 11-6 victory in Jiangmen City, China, on Saturday.
According to information available, Advani came from behind to carve out an exciting triumph after a marathon contest at Jiangmen Stadium.
After scores were tied at five-all at the end of first session, the 21-year-old Advani displayed an extraordinary cue control, potting to outplay the Pakistani and to clinch the title.
Bangalore-born Advani smashed a spectacular clearance break of 135 in the 14th frame to record a 35-64, 07-79, 73-10, 66-56, 46-59, 87-13, 81-43, 71-13, 0-95, 15-93, 64-36, 78-33, 43-47, 135-0, 65-46, 70-67, 63-22 win.
Presence of top Indian coach Michael Ferreira made the difference in the final.
Ferreira, who is familiar with Saleh’s game for over a decade, chalked out a strategy for Advani which paid dividends.
But the 31-year-old Saleh, basically an aggressive player, was not very strong in safety play.
Two-time former world billiards champion Ferreira instructed Advani to concentrate more on his safety and one of the tactical point helped the Indian grab title.
Pakistan’s number two Saleh made a fine start by pocketing the opening two frames 64-35 and 79-07 with a break of 71 in the second.
Advani took time to settle down and break of 64 saw the Indian taking third frame and levelling the scores 2-2 by winning the fourth 66-56. Saleh recovered to take the fifth 59-46.
Demonstrating fighting qualities, Advani clinched next three frames to gain a 5-3 advantage. Saleh bounced back to come into contention with a break of 83 and won the frame number ten to level the scores 5-5 at the break.
Though Saleh won the 13th frame 47-43, next frame saw Advani clearing the table after a break of 135. The Indian then did not see back as he raced towards victory by grabbing the next three frames.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) will be according a rousing welcome to Saleh his loss to Pankaj Advani of India in the final
Saleh with team-member Khurram Agha and manager Yousuf Suleman are due to return home on Air China flight on Monday at 2220 hrs.
“Luck eluded him but he (Saleh) performed creditably and we want to compliment him”, PBSA President Asghar Valika said. “He performed outstandingly and thus deserved a good reception”, he added.
“Its was a great achievement that another Pakistani made to final after nine years”, he said. “Winning and losing made a big difference in the final but Saleh performed exceptionally well”, Valika said.
“Naturally we are disappointed on Saleh’s lose. But victory and defeats are part of the game”, he maintained.
In the meantime PBSA with sponsor of the game, Lakson Tobacco Co. are holding a get-togather and press conference at Karachi Club on Tuesday at 4.30 to honour Saleh for reaching the world championship final.
Saleh Muhammad is the second Pakistani to reach the final. Muhammad Yousuf won the title at Johannesburg (South Africa).—APP
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