December 21, 2003	Sunday	Shawwal 26, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

KARACHI, Dec 20: Pakistan won the Indo-Pak Peace Cup Snooker Series 2003, beating India 43/33, at the Karachi Club on Saturday.

Although Pakistan won by a 10-point margin do not be deceived by the scoreline. The four-day series went down to the last match in which the winners were decided in the last Lucky Seven event.

Leading 31/24 on Friday night, Pakistan added two more points to their tally against India’s one, when former world and Asian champion Mohammad Yousuf teaming up with the Pakistan skipper Naveen Perwani upset the Indian combination of Yasin Merchant and Manan Chandra, 80/70, 53/60, 58/43. Incidentally this was the first doubles match Pakistan won throughout the competition.

With Pakistan’s lead stretched to 33/25, Alok Kumar lined up against Naveen Perwani and the seasoned campaigner kept his unbeaten record intact by beating Naveen 2-1, as India closed the gap 34/27.

The clash between Mohammed Yousuf and two time Asian champion Yasin Merchant created plenty of interest. Yasin got off to a bright start gaining two valuable points, one for winning the frame 104/13 and a bonus point with a splendid clearance of 97.

Unruffled with the situation Yousuf hit back with a flowing break of 61, and just when it seemed that he too would snatch a bonus point, his progress was halted when he missed a difficult red. Yousuf did manage to win the frame 61/54 and gained one point. In the deciding frame, Yasin was in top gear once again picking up the frame 70/23 and emerging a 3-1 winner.

The score now read 35/30 in Pakistan’s favour when Khurram Hussain Agha took on Manan Chandra. Playing with a great deal of skill, Manan led 43/21 and just when it seemed he was on the victory charge, Khurram came back strongly to pocket the frame 54/43.

The next frame was a complete opposite of the opener. Khurram leading 59/45, only needed the blue ball to seal up the frame in his favour.

As Lady Luck would have it, Khurram missed Blue and was amazed when Manan fluked on the blue and following it up with pink and black, pinched the frame 63/59 to draw level 1-1.

Manan now in a better frame of mind was leading by 40 points, 50/10 in front in the third frame. With defeat staring him the face, Khurram forced his way in from behind with 32 points on the trot, clawing his way closer 42/51.

Clearing the table on his next visit, Khurram emerged a 2-1 winner, picking up the frame 65/51, as Pakistan maintained the lead 38/33.

Although Pakistan led by five points, the last match in the series had to decide the winners. If India won the scores would be tied at 38 all and a one frame death play off would have to decide the winners. So India had to win with a bonus point.

On the other hand, Pakistan would certainly emerge the winners if they won the last match.

India nominated Alok Kumar, unbeaten in all his matches to see them through. However, Naveen pinned his hopes on Saleh once again, although the world No.2, ran into a bad patch playing his singles match against the world champion Pankaj Advani.

Reeking with confidence Alok got off to a bright start with a flowing break of 29 points and seemed to be on course of increasing his lead but failed to sink a red in the centre pocket. Saleh however replied back with 8 points and followed it up with another 16, closing the gap 24/29. On his next visit Saleh scored 23 points and with victory resting on his shoulders fouled on the pink ball.

But Pakistan’s star made up for this blunder scoring another 25 points. This last ditch effort was enough to see Pakistan through the winners, with Alok surrendering the frame 73/36 and losing his first match of the tournament.

Later at the prize distribution ceremony, the PBSA President Asghar Valika, said that there were no boundaries in sports which bred friendship and brotherhood.

Following was the final results on the last day.

DOUBLES: Mohammad Yousuf and Naveen Perwani (Pakistan) beat Yasin Merchant and Manan Chandra (India) 2-1:80/70, 53/60, 58/43.

SINGLES: Alok Kumar (India) beat Naveen Perwani (Pakistan) 2-1: 14/69, 52/38, 62/40. Yasin Merchant (India) beat Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) 3-1: 104/13 (bonus point for 97 break), 54/61, 70/23. Khurram Hussain Agha (Pakistan) beat Manan Chandra (India) 2-1: 54/43, 59/63, 65/51. Pankaj Advani (India) beat Saleh Mohammad (Pakistan) 2-1: 65/55,67/58, 67/26.

LUCKY SEVEN: Saleh Mohammad (Pakistan) beat Alok Kumar 73/36.