KARACHI: After a seven-year wait, former celebrity Mohammad Sajjad rose to the top of the ladder coasting to an emphatic 8-6 frames victory over his pupil Asjad Iqbal in the final to annex national snooker title for the third time at Karachi Gymkhana on Tuesday.

The all-Punjab final (both hail from Sargodha) of the 42nd National Snooker Championship, that was a repeat of 2010, ended in a blaze of glory for the former world No 2 who was home 66-54, 31-70, 7-93, 44-83, 108-25, 66-32, 78-57, 35-76, 75-61, 79-35, 54-58, 1-109, 71-47, 80-47.

Sajjad’s previous two successes came in 2008 against now Afghanistan-based Saleh Mohammad and in 2010 against Asjad.

By virtue of attaining top two places, both Sajjad and Asjad have earned a ticket for the 33rd Asian Snooker Championship being held at Doha from April 22 to 28.

“I’m happy to become national champion again and will carry the tag for one year until the next event,” an elated Sajjad told Dawn soon after the victory.

Terming the final as tough and well contested the 30-year-old Sajjad, who is father of four children, said it could have gone either way.

He gave full marks to his opponent who seized 3-1 lead, tied four-all and six-all in the best of 15-frames final that lasted for five hours and 45 minutes in two sessions..

The former world No 2 sounded optimistic of giving his best when he makes his appearance in the Asian meet for the seventh time.

Talking to Dawn, Asjad, 25, attributed his defeat to ‘bad luck’. ‘I’d a chance to avenge my 2010 defeat from my mentor but a few miss time and again deprived to win the elusive title,’ said Asjad, who has not been able to win national title in his career so far.

A former national junior champion and three NBP Cup titles under his belt besides a ranking crown, Asjad added that his focus has now been shifted to Doha for which he resumes training soon.

After having a brisk start winning the opener 66-54, Sajjad fell back losing the next three frames 31-70, 7-93, 44-83 to trail 1-3 in the match.

Sajjad, however, replied with same vigor taking the following three frames 108-25, 66-32, 78-57 to surge 4-3 only to be tied four-all conceding the eighth frame 35-76.

Sajjad won the ninth and 10th frames 75-61, 79-35 to go 6-4 up before losing the 11th and 12th frames again 54-58, 1-109 as Asjad drew level. Needing two frames to win, title hungry Sajjad did it grabbing the following two frames 71-47 and 80-47.

Asjad displayed his acumen piling a century break of 109 in the 12th frame besides a break of 62 in the third.

Sajjad, on the other hand, hammered three breaks of 60, 50 and 63 in the fifth, 10th and 14th frames.

A jubilant Sajjad received the winning shield, running trophy and a cash prize of Rs1,00,000 from the chief guest Sindh Governor, Mohammad Zubair at the presentation ceremony that followed the final.

Asjad was awarded a purse of Rs50,000 and runner-up shield.

Cash prizes of Rs3,10,000 were disbursed in the event.

To the surprise of all, highest Break of the Tournament award was not announced at the presentation ceremony. Zulfiqar A. Qadir, who mustered a break of 138 against Sattar in the league match was not there to receive Rs10,000 award. Both are local players and the absence of former left much to be desired.

Also present on the occasion were managing director of Jubilee General Insurance, Tahir Ahmed, co-chairman of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) Alamgir Shaikh, president Munawwar Hussain Shaikh secretary Zulfuqar Ramzi, other officials Jawaid Karim, Shariq Vohra,Rasheed Jambo, KC president Fawad Salim Malik and Salim Yousuf.

Results:

Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) bt Asjad Iqbal (Punjab) 8-6 (66-54, 31-70, 7-93, 44-83, 108-25, 66-32, 78-57, 35-76, 75-61, 79-35, 54-58, 1-109, 71-47, 80-47).

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017