KARACHI, Jan 6: With an exception, the experienced Pakistani cueists remained on the back foot in international competitions including the culminating contest – Doha Asian Games – during 2006.

Neither gold, nor silver nor bronze as the squad landed empty-handed from Doha for the first time in eight-years since the baize game became medal sport at Bangkok in1998.

Pakistan rose to heights when they fetched maiden Asian Games gold in addition to two silver medals at the Bangkok event. Though they failed to repeat gold medal feat in Busan at the same time two bronze medals were enough for celebrations.

England-based professional Shaukat Ali on top of his form did Pakistan proud by capturing the snooker singles gold. Besides he had a hand in two bronze also. He teamed up with Saleh Mohammad and Farhan Mirza for snooker team-event bronze while he paired with Saleh to land the snooker doubles bronze.

Four years later the duo of Naveen Perwani and Saleh picked up bronze in snooker doubles while the combination of Yousuf, Naveen and Saleh pocketed snooker team- event bronze.However, much to the surprise of fraternity of the game, all the 12 players including Shaukat faded away in Doha when they were supposed to deliver. PBSA also hired the services of Sri Lankan Henry Boteju to coach the Billiards players.

Reigning national champion Khurram Agha and losing finalist Imran Shahzad could not go beyond quarter-finals at the annual Asian meet in Colombo.

Prior to the Asian Games, another disappointment was in store when Khurram and Naveen failed to strike in Amman, Jordan, in the world championship. But it was the heroics of veteran Mohammad Yousuf who once again returned with flying colours when he land the Masters Trophy (over 40 years) in the Jordanian capital. He edged past Glen Wilkinson 5-4 in the epic final.

The former World and Asian champion with 13 national titles under his belt was duly rewarded by Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) who pooled approximately Rs0.1 million for the celebrity.

The Pakistan snooker team also travelled to Dubai in the first quarter of the year to compete in an International competition but could not met with any success. The Pakistan-India series which was due to take place across the border in Sept was postponed and eventually not organised during the year.

On the domestic front, Khurram Agha (KPT) came out with shining performance winning three competitions – 31st Nationals, Pakistan Cue Masters and the AKD Cup. It was his first maiden national title.

Yousuf ended his two-year jinx when he claimed 10th Style contest while Naveen retained Latif Masters Cup. The latter also won the KC snooker title.

Former world No 2 Saleh Mohammad after appearing in the Nationals mysteriously skipped the Pakistan Cue Masters and Style Cup in mid of the year only to learn that he had returned to Afghanistan. He also donned Afghan national colour at the Doha Asiad.Asghar Valika who is at the helm of PBSA since 1988 was re-elected for another term.–AZ