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| June 22, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 25, 1427 |
Snooker: Yousuf ends two-year title jinx
KARACHI, June 21: The 13 time national champion, Mohammad Yousuf, overcame two year title jinx on Wednesday when he inflicted 6-5 defeat on second seed, Imran Shahzad, in the gruelling final to win Style ranking snooker tournament at Karachi Gymkhana before packed audience.
He was home 69-37, 65-56, 100-10, 19-94, 71-12, 57-60, 52-63, 44-78, 78-41, 47-64, 65-45 in four and a half hour encounter.
Interestingly, Yousuf’s last victory also came against Imran whom he sent packing 7-3 on Feb 16 two years back to claim 13th national crown.
Though the veteran cueist made it to three of the four finals of ranking tournaments last year, he failed to come out with flying colours.
After surrendering the national title, he tasted 2-6 defeat at the hands of Saleh in the final of 9th Style snooker.
His next defeat came when Abu Saim beat him to win a ranking contest while Naveen whipped him 7-3 to claim 19th Latif Masters title.
He was completely off colour in the 31st National championship played earlier this year where he was knocked out in pre-quarterfinals by eventual champion Khurram Agha.
In the process of capturing the Style crown, he overcame Mesam Zaidi in pre-quarterfinal, toppled top seed Khurram in quarterfinal and Naveen in the pre-final.
“I am happy on the triumph which, though late, has given me confidence in addition to a leap in the national ranking,” the 54-year old Yousuf told Dawn after the final.
The former world champion opened the final on winning note taking 3-0 lead by winning 69-37, 65-56, 100-10 with a break of 82 in third frame.
Imran, who is to leave for Colombo for Asian meet next week, found his rhythm in the fourth frame winning 94-19 with a break of 77 to reduce deficit 1-3.
Yousuf surged 4-1 ahead grabbing the fifth 71-12 only to see his opponent coming on even terms with three straight wins 60-57, 63-52, 78-44.
A see saw followed with Yousuf pocketing ninth 78-41 and Imran 10th 64-47 to be tied at 10-10.
Experience finally prevailed when Yousuf was home 65-45 in the decisive frame to wrap up the match.
Yousuf received a winning prize of Rs50,000 in addition to trophy while Imran took home Rs30,000 and runners up trophy.
Results:
Mohammad Yousuf bt Imran Shahzad 6-5 (69-37, 65-56, 100-10, 19-94, 71-12, 57-60, 52-63, 44-78, 78-41, 47-64, 65-45).
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