Sajjad goes down gallantly in IBSF World Snooker final

Published November 30, 2014
Winner of the IBSF World Snooker Champion mens's category, Yan Bingtao (R) from China, is congratulated by runner up Muhammed Sajjad of Pakistan prior to the presentation ceremony in Bangalore on November 29, 2014. – AFP
Winner of the IBSF World Snooker Champion mens's category, Yan Bingtao (R) from China, is congratulated by runner up Muhammed Sajjad of Pakistan prior to the presentation ceremony in Bangalore on November 29, 2014. – AFP

KARACHI: Pakistan's Mohammad Sajjad took 14-year-old Chinese sensation Yan Bingtao to full distance before going down fighting 8-7 in the final of (IBSF) World Snooker Championship in Bangalore on Saturday.

After grueling 14th frame, the title match was locked at 7-all. However, Bingtao produced a decisive 60 points break to cruise to the victory after just under five-hour see-saw contest.

Sargodha-based Sajjad, who toppled some big names in reaching the final, battled like a champion in the final and gave Chinese cueist Bingtao testing time before bowing out.

Sajjad is Pakistan's third cueist after world champions Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Asif to reach the (IBSF) World Snooker Championship final. Sajjad compiled the breaks of 79, 73, 50 and 60 during the match.

After conceding the opening frame, Sajjad gained 2-1 advantage by grabbing the next to frames. Bingtao took the fourth to restore parity. Brilliant break of 79 in fifth frame to forge 3-2 ahead. Chinese again pulled the sixth frame to draw level.

Sajjad was 6-7 down after 13 frames but, snatched the 14th frame to set-up an exciting finish.

However, Bingtao played tactical snooker and aided by a break of 60 helped him to seal the title.

Final result: Yan Bingtao (China) bt Muhammad Sajjad (Pak) 8-7 (71-59, 16-81, 22-75, 67-53, 77-13, 4-93, 63-38, 0-86, 76-09(76), 70-37, 65-72, 38-76, 16-107, 72-21, 61-15).

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