April 27, 2007	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 09, 1428

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KARACHI, April 26: Despite compiling a second century break (120) in the tournament, last year’s losing finalist Imran Shehzad was knocked out 5-1 by Abu Saim in the pre quarter-finals of Style Snooker Championship at Karachi Club on Thursday.

Imran, who chalked up highest break of the competition (127) against Sindh Cup champion Farrukh Usman in the opener, could only click in the third frame with a splendid break in the otherwise one-sided match.

Saim, who has improved his National Ranking by attaining third slot, was home 66-38, 63-17, 5-129, 72-21, 52-42, 58-15.

Playing on the adjacent table, reigning national champion, Naveen Perwani, also conceded a frame to register an emphatic 5-1 win over Atif Mughal. With two solid breaks of 62 and 52 in the third and fifth frames Naveen won the battle 65-16, 62-55, 76-26, 22-90, 105-8, 52-46. He is pitted against Raees Khan who edged past Sohail Shehzad 5-2.

NWFP’s Rambel Gul who was unimpressive in the country’s premier national championship recently found his rhythm when he blanked Mohammad Nazeer 5-0 the scores being 63-37, 79-14, 66-52, 61-48, 78-25.

Veteran cueist Mohammad Yousuf also fought his way into last eight by overcoming fighting Shehram Changezi 5-4 in the absorbing battle. Trailing down twice, the former world champion recovered to turn the tables on Islamabad-based opponent 31-67, 21-72, 4-61, 65-29, 55-53, 63-24, 14-70, 78-31, 56-13. He is drawn to meet Mohammad Riaz who accounted for Imtiaz Sarwer 5-3.

Saleh Mohammad, who skipped the entire circuit barring the national championship in 2006, also stole limelight when he came out with a fine century break (112) in the third frame against Kamran Razzak in his 5-0 win. He was unlucky to miss yet another century break in the following frame by just eight points. Final scores were; 73-16, 83-16, 112-10, 128-0, 54-21.

He faces former national champion Khurram Agha who got the better of Kassim Kamani 5-1.

Meanwhile, the organisers have extended the event by a day and it will conclude on Sunday. The rescheduling was done to avoid clash with the Cricket World Cup final to be played on Saturday.

Results (pre quarter-finals):

Naveen Perwani bt Atif Mughal 5-1 (65-16, 62-55, 76-26, 22-90, 105-8, 52-46); Raees Khan bt Sohail Shehzad 5-2 (18-90, 83-0, 51-23, 55-45, 33-72, 75-21, 57-14); Abu Saim bt Imran Shehzad 5-1 (66-38, 63-17, 5-129, 72-21, 52-42, 58-15); Rambel Gul bt Mohammad Nazeer 5-0 (63-37, 79-14, 66-52, 61-48, 78-25); Mohammad Yousuf bt Shehram Changezi 5-4 (31-67, 21-72, 4-61, 65-29, 55-53, 63-24, 14-70, 78-31, 56-13); Mohammad Riaz bt Imtiaz Sarwer 5-3 (39-58, 69-33, 13-77, 67-35, 38-50, 69-39, 60-21, 60-28); Saleh Mohammad bt Kamran Razzak 5-0 (73-16, 83-16, 112-10, 128-0, 54-21); Khurram Agha bt Kassim Kamani 5-1 (59-46, 44-74, 63-46, 97-6, 69-20, 72-37).

Friday’s fixtures (quarter-finals):

Naveen Perwani v Raees Khan, Abu Saim v Rambel Gul, Mohammad Yousuf v Mohammad Riaz, Saleh Mohammad v Khurram Agha at 3pm.