KARACHI, Oct 15: Former national champion Shahid Aftab has leaped four places to regain top slot in the latest national rankings list released by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) after the third ranking event of the domestic calendar that took place in Karachi last month.

The 31-year-old Shahid, who created quite a stir by crowning the national title in 2011, has shown steady progress throughout the year. After finishing fifth in the rankings released at the end of 38th National Championship, he jumped to fourth slot in the next rankings.

Continuing his giant-killing run, he beat Sindh’s Abdul Sattar 7-4 in the third national ranking event that brought good fortunes to him. Apart from re-emerging as Pakistan No. 1, Shahid also qualified to represent the country in the IBSF world amateur snooker championship being held at Latvia from Nov 27 to Dec 8.

Shahid pushed province-mate Imran Shahzad to second place who also qualified to travel to Latvia besides reigning champion Mohammad Asif.

Bearded Sattar has secured his career best third position in the rankings followed by former national champion Mohammad Sajjad.

Three-time NBP Cup champion Asjad Iqbal is placed fifth, a position above Asif.

Newly crowned national champion Hamza Akbar is trailing at seventh position followed by Farhan Noor, Abu Saim and Amir Tariq respectively.

Top 10 national rankings:

1-Shahid Aftab (Punjab), 2-Imran Shahzad (Punjab), 3-Abdul Sattar (Sindh), 4-Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab), 5-Asjad Iqbal (Punjab), 6-Mohammad Asif (Punjab), 7-Hamza Akbar (Punjab), 8-Farhan Noor (Punjab), 9-Abu Saim (Punjab), 10-Amir Tariq (Punjab).