KARACHI: Punjab’s Imran Shehzad, a former Pakistan No 1, who has made a comeback in the circuit after a year’s layoff, registered an authoritative 6-2 victory over Sindh’s Abdul Sattar to reach final of the 38th National Snooker Championship at Karachi Gymkhana on Sunday.

Imran, 37, who topped group C won the battle 54-33, 45-63, 67-55, 57-17, 70-23, 81-0, 38-68, 74-18 that lasted for four hours.

After a brisk start by taking the first frame 54-33, he was on way to consolidate his position but missed a pink ball in the centre that cost him the frame 45-63 as his opponent draw level (1-1). However, he won the next four frames one after the other 67-55, 57-17, 70-23, 81-0 to surge 5-1 in the best of 11 frames first semi-final.

Needing a frame to wrap up the match, Imran was again caught on the wrong foot losing the seventh 38-68 only to bounce back and clinch the eighth 74-18 to the delight of spectators.

Imran had two mediocre breaks of 42 apiece in sixth and eighth frames while Sattar build up a break of 55 in the third frame.

“I’m delighted on making a comeback and reaching fourth final of the country’s premier snooker championship,” Imran told Dawn soon after the triumph.

It is pertinent to mention that national title has eluded him on the past three occasions.

Imran meets debutant Hamza Akbar in the Monday’s final after the latter recovered twice to whip former national champion Mohammad Sajjad 6-3 in the second semi-final.

Hamza, a former junior No 2 and Punjab Cup runner-up, was home 25-79, 36-73, 64-27, 61-47, 1-69, 89-5, 94-42, 63-29, 51-38. The match lasted for some four hours.

After going into 0-2 deficit losing the first two frames 25-79, 36-73, youthful Hamza came back into the game and was 64-27 up with few balls on the table in the third frame when his opponent conceded to make score 1-2. Again Hamza had an edge over seasoned cueist and won 61-47 to draw level 2-2.

Sajjad, a former Asian No 2, surged 3-2 as Hamza lost 1-69. Then there was no stopping for Hamza who claimed next four frames in one hand 89-5, 94-42, 63-29, 51-38 to win 6-3 and reach first final of national snooker championship in his maiden appearance.

The best of 15 frames final starts at 11am.

Results: Semi-finals: Imran Shehzad (Punjab) bt Abdul Sattar (Sindh) 6-2 (54-33, 45-63, 67-55, 57-17, 70-23, 81-0, 38-68, 74-18); Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) bt Hamza Akbar (Punjab) Monday’s fixtures (best of 15 frames final) Imran Shehzad v Mohammad Sajjad at 11am.