KARACHI, Oct 9: Fancied Imran Shahzad with talented Farrukh Usman, veteran Muhammad Yousuf and newcomer Nadir Khan advanced to the semifinals of national pool championship with easy victories in quarterfinals at Snooker Zone Club Bahadurabad on Saturday.

Imran from Lahore, looked in fine nick while overcoming third seed Asif Moti 7-3. Imran, having good experience in nine-ball pool contest, maintained pressure with aggressive play and consistent potting.

Later in the afternoon Imran also confirmed his berth in the semifinal of national billiards championship with an easy 2-0 success against Masood Ahmed.

Farrukh of Sindh, a youngster from the host club, handed out a crushing 7-1 defeat to Kashif Ahmed. Except for losing a frame, Farrukh dominated his match with some amazing potting and lovely frame break.

Nadir Khan of NWFP lost two frames before overcoming Waqas Malik with attacking and controlled potting.

Veteran Yousuf continued his fine run in pool and billiards events by storming into the last four stage of both the events in Rs 110,000 competition.

Versatile and ex-world snooker champion Yousuf blanked Mudassar in seven straight frames in pool quarterfinals and later in the billiards Yousuf downed Pakistan's top ranked snooker cueist Khurram Agha 2-1.

In pool semifinal, Imran Shahzad will take on Farrukh and Yousuf will be up against Nadir Khan while in billiards pre-final Yousuf will clash Yousuf Haroon and Imran meets Muhammad Hussain

Results: