|
|
| June 11, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 3, 1426 |
India on road to victory in Challenge Series
KARACHI, June 10: India was on the road to victory, leading the host nation Pakistan 31-20 on the second day of the three-day snooker Challenge Series 2005 played on Friday at the Karachi Club.
On the opening day India had a narrow lead 12-11, but on Friday with their cueists in tremendous form the lead increased by 11 points with one more day to go.
In the first doubles played on the second day, Alok Kumar and Manan Chandra increased the visitors’ lead by grabbing two points, beating Mohammad Yousuf and Imran Shehzad 69/45. One point was for the frame victory and one more point was awarded to India when Alok chalked up a break of 61.
In the second doubles with the Indian pair of Pankaj Advani and Devendra Joshi meeting Saleh Mohammad and Naveen Perwani, the visitors gained two points to Pakistan’s one.
Pankaj gave the Indians something to cheer about scoring 53 points on the trot but Saleh, with a magnificent clearance of 56 forced the frame into a tie ball drawing abreast 57/57.
However, it was the Indians who picked up the point for winning the frame when Joshi sunk the black ball into the top pocket. The score at this stage was India 16 Pakistan 12.
In the first singles India gained two more points when Joshi grabbed the first two frames 65/29, 58/41 from the Pakistan skipper Naveen Perwani.
But Naveen gained some measure of satisfaction by sharing the points with Joshi, picking up the last frame 87/21, with a fluent break of 66. India still held a four point advantage 18-14.
The former world snooker champion and current world billiards champion Pankaj Advani took on the former world and Asian snooker champion Mohammad Yousuf nearly 36 years his senior.
The teenage Indian star got off to a flying start snatching three points by winning the first frame 115/5, including two breaks of 50 and 64. He then increased his lead to four, winning the next frame 59/6.
Stung into action Yousuf won the third frame 62/10, but the damage was already done. India were racing away 22-15, with Pakistan now seven points adrift.
In the next singles, Imran gave the home supporters a glimmer of hope running away with the first frame 89/6 including a quick break of 82 against Manan. Bemused with the outcome of the first frame, the Indian cueist throwing caution to the winds, picked up the next two frames 71/48, 85/14, sharing with Imran two points apiece.
India was now 24 to Pakistan’s 17, still trailing by seven points.
Saleh meeting the current Asian snooker champion Alok Kumar got off to a fine start gaining two points by winning the opening frame 69/65 with a fine break of 54. But with 54 points still on the table Alok had a slim chance to gain a point for India if he crossed the 50 mark.
Displaying the class of a champion, the Indian cueist cleared the table.
Saleh however gained another vital point by pinching the second frame 76/10, only to see the vital three points he picked up nullified, when Alok swept through the last frame 85/0 which included a break of 59.
The last match of the day the Lucky Seven, with one frame deciding the issue, the winner was on song to pick up three valuable points for winning the frame which could also include another point, if a break of 50 or over was registered, by either the winner or the loser.
India nominated Alok and Pakistan banked on Saleh. At this stage India was 27 points to Pakistan’s 20. Pakistan desperately needed to win to keep the series alive. Saleh gave the home crowd a glimmer of hope chalking up 34 points, but Alok soon took over leading 44/34. True to form Alok stormed through the frame with a fine clearance of 64 and the game was all over bar the shouting.
Alok notched up four more valuable points and when play ended on the second day, India was on the road to victory leading 31-20.
Saturday will be the last day of the tournament with matches commencing from 12.00 noon. The prize distribution ceremony will be held the same day at 6.00 p.m.
Results:
Doubles: Alok Kumar and Manan Chandra (India) bt Mohammad Yousuf and Imran Shehzad (Pakistan) 69/45. (1-0); Pankaj Advani and Devendra Joshi bt Saleh Mohammad and Naveen Perwani 64/57. (2-1)
Singles: Devendra Joshi (India) bt Naveen Perwani (Pakistan) 2-1: 65/29, 58/41, 21/87 (2-2); Pankaj Advani (India) bt Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) 2-1: 115/5, 59/6, 10/62 (4-1). Manan Chandra (India) bat Imran Shehzad (Pakistan) 2-1: 6/89, 7u1/48, 84/14 (2-2); Saleh Mohammad (Pakistan) bt Alok Kumar (India) 2-1: 69/65, 76/10, 0/85 (3-3). Lucky Seven Alok Kumar (India) bt Saleh Mohammad (Pakistan) 104/34 (4-0).
|
|
