LAHORE, Aug 1: Brilliant efforts by all the three members of the Pakistan team, Shahid Javed Khan, Aimal Zaman and Vaqas Ahmed, crowned the country with the first ever title of the Saarc golf championship
, beating India 2-0 in the best-of-three match finals at the Royal Palm and Country Club here on Sunday.
Shahid, the only player of the championship who posted an under-par card of 69 on the opening day while playing over a hectic 27 holes in a day, gave Pakistan a perfect start, beating Jaskirat Singh Dullet in the first final by a lead of two, holes.
Shahid showed glimpses of skill by remaining in front from the word go. The only achievement Jaskirat could manage was the reduction of the lead from three holes to two when Shahid had been declared winner at the hole No 17th.
Till the first nine holes, Shahid was leading by three. Jaskirat won at the 10th hole to reduce the lead to two. "I was not under any kind of pressure today, because I had firm belief Pakistan could win if it qualified for the final", Shahid said after winning the first final.
He admitted that there were tense moments for Pakistan on Saturday because entering the final was a challenge. Jaskirat said it was a tough competition but Shahid was in the best of form and stole the show.
Vaqas had a stiff challenge ahead to beat Indian No 1 Simarjeet Singh in the second final. Vaqas had played a six-over round on Saturday while Simarjeet had entered the second best card of the day of one-over.
But Vaqas earned what maximum Pakistan wanted from him, drawing with Simarjeet. The Indian remained in front for the major part of the final. However, Waqas recovered and eventually caught up with Simarjeet at the 16th hole and remained equal till the 18th.
Vaqas admitted that he was under pressure of in the must-win situation. "Our captain Aimal was off colour on the first day and I wanted to cash in on Shahid's win in the first final to ensure the victory, but it was a draw, he said.
Simarjeet said he was not disappointed for the drawn game. "It was a good competition and although the result has reduced our chances of completing the double hat trick in the championship, yet I am happy for having played golf in Lahore", he said.
Then Pakistan pinned all hopes on its skipper Aimal, who had failed to give an impressive performance on the first day and handed over the card of 10-over. But Aimal turned Pakistan's hero by beating Manav Das by two-holes lead in the crucial third finals and the victory.
Manav was on course till the 13th hole with the lead of one-hole. A win for the Indian could draw the contest, enabling the visitors to lift the main trophy being the defending champion so it was a nerve-breaking challenge for Aimal.
Aimal accepted it and despite conceding one-hole lead till the 13th, he did not lose heart and fought bravely. With skillful putting and stroke-play, Aimal levelled the score at the 15th hole.
As Aimal touched the high form he never allowed any advantage to the Indian. He won the 16th and the 17th holes to take the unbeatable lead of two holes to complete the victory.
"Yes, it was one of the tough challenges and thanks God I managed to overcome the odds", a delighted Aimal said. Aimal was unhappy over the decision of the organisers to hold the finals on reverse-ranking system, but said it was all over now that and Pakistan had achieved the target.
Among the six editions of the Saarc golf championship, Pakistan appeared in only three - 1999, 2000 and 2004 - but qualified for finals for first time. The other four countries --Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan - fought for the third position on stroke-play basis.
The Bangladesh team (Siddikur Rahman, Milon Ahmed) won the third spot with two-day aggregate of 14-over-374. The Sri Lankan team (Lalith Kumara, Tissa Chandradasa), the most favourite team for the title, went down to the fourth spot by conceding one-stroke lead to Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan ladies' team (Miss Jacqueline Anysa Dias, Miss Kishani) won the title with two-day aggregate of 62-over-350. The Pakistan team (Jameela Jabbar, Tahira Nasim) were the runners-up with the difference of nine strokes.
RESULTS:
MEN (FINALS). Pakistan beat India 2-0 on match play basis. Shahid Javed (Pak) bt Jaskirat Singh Dullet (Ind) by two-holes lead. Vaqas (Pak) holds Simarjeet Singh (Ind) to draw. Aimal Zaman (Pak) bt Manav Das (Ind) by two-holes lead.
LADIES. 350- Sri Lanka (Miss Jacqueline Anysa Dias, Miss Kishani). 359- Pakistan (Jameela Jabbar, Tahira Nasim).
