March 09, 2008	Sunday	Safar 30, 1429

KARACHI, March 8: Ayaz Khan on Saturday was crowned the new champion when he brushed aside Ahsan Javed 5-1 in the best of nine frames all-Punjab final of the National juniors snooker championship at the Karachi Club.

By virtue of victory, Ayaz also avenged the 1-3 defeat he had suffered at the hands of Ahsan in the league match on March 4. Incidentally, both the finalists belonged to group ‘A’.

Ayaz, who was stretched to limits by Mohammad Afzal (4-3) in the pre-final on Friday, romped home 6-79, 67-19, 62-6, 79-27, 53-10, 45-36 in little over a two-hour duel.

He had a poor start conceding the opener 6-79 but soon found his rhythm to draw level by taking the second 67-19. He kept his cool and maintained a firm grip on the match never allowing any room to his opponent.

The eventual champion raced on to claim the next four frames 62-6, 79-27, 53-10, 45-36. He piled up breaks of 41, 33 and 41 in the third, fourth and fifth frames to the delight of spectators.

Ahsan, who ended the pretensions of Tahir Abbas registering a 4-0 win in the other pre-final, was off-colour and threw opportunities that came his way.

Ayaz received a winning purse of Rs30,000 while Ahsan pocketed the runner up prize of Rs20,000 from Tahir Ahmed. The PBSA president, Asghar Valika, and other officials were also present.

Result (final):

Ayaz Khan (pun) bt Ahsan Javed (Pun) 5-1 (6-79, 67-19, 62-6, 79-27, 53-10, 45-36).