September 03, 2007	Monday	Sha'aban 20, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 2: Experienced Saleh Mohammad, who staged a comeback on the circuit earlier this year, claimed his second title in four months with an imposing 6-1 victory over Imran Shahzad in the one-sided final of the 21st Latif Masters Snooker Championship at the Karachi Club on Sunday.

Saleh needed two-and-a-half hours to post a 77-27, 76-40, 88-41, 66-15, 63-67, 62-35, 78-49 victory over his opponent in the best-of-11 frames encounter. The two cueists had qualified for the title battle after attaining top slots in their respective groups at the completion of the league phase on Saturday.

He blanked Rambel Gul by a tennis score (6-0) in his first appearance in April after being pardoned by Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) for violating the code of conduct. He had a stigma affixed on him after he represented Afghanistan at the Doha Asian Games.

Playing the fifth final of his career, Imran failed to overcome a title jinx despite getting chances.

“Missing opportunities at crucial stages had cost me the title,” Imran, who represented the country at the Doha Asiad, told Dawn.

Imran had a firm grip in the first, third and sixth frames when he faltered, which changed the situation of the match.

With a score of 27 in his favour and coloured balls lying on the table in the opener, he lost his concentration by missing a black which shattered his confidence. Taking advantage, Saleh chalked up a break of 68 to win 77-27.

Saleh, who lost the world title to teenage Indian Pankaj Advani in China in 2003, surged 4-0 up by taking the next three frames 76-40, 88-41 and 66-15 with breaks of 39 and 53 in the second and third.

Imran, the runner-up in last year’s nationals, managed to win the fifth frame 67-63, thanks to a break of 60, to reduce the deficit 1-4. Saleh finally wrapped up the match after winning the following two frames 62-35 and 78-49.

Saleh received a winning purse of Rs100,000 while Imran took home the runner-up prize of Rs50,000 from the PBSA President Ali Asghar Valika. Khurram Agha and Shehram Changezi, who finished runners-up in their groups after league, received Rs15,000 apiece while Mohammad Yousuf was rewarded Rs5,000 for achieving the highest break (132).

Meanwhile, Saleh and Imran have surged to the No 1 and 2 slots in national rankings and hence will represent the country at the world championship in Thailand this November.

Imran, who is equally good in billiards, will fly to Singapore on Monday to feature in the World Billiards Championship being held there from Sept 5.

Result:

Final: Saleh Mohammad bt Imran Shahzad 6-1 (77-27, 76-40, 88-41, 66-15, 63-67, 62-35, 78-49).