KARACHI: Pakistan 2 overcome fighting Pakistan 1 by 5-4 frames in agonising all-Pakistan final played for the first time in any global event to win the IBSF Team Event Snooker Championship in the Egyptian city of Hurghadha on Thursday evening.

According to information available here, the final that was stretched to limits, lasted for four-and-a-half hours with the country’s second string getting the better of top outfit 76-8, 74-34, 26-70, 78-52, 31-52, 2-53, 46-44, 13-68, 70-29.

Pakistan 2 was represented by the former world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif and Babar Masih while Pakistan 1 comprised national champion Mohammad Sajjad and runner-up Asjad Iqbal.

Earlier, Pakistan 1 and 2 created quite a stir by eliminating better teams to set an all-Pakistan final. Pakistan 1 blanked second seed Wales 4-0 while Pakistan 2 defeated Ireland by 4-0 scoreline in the semi-finals.

Playing aggressively, Pakistan 2 seized 2-0 and 3-1 lead in the best of nine frames encounter before Pakistan 1 drew level at 3-all.

The eventual champions again surged 4-3 by taking the seventh frame but the lead was again shortlived as Pakistan 1 levelled it four-all taking the eighth frame but it was over for them as the former clinched the ninth and decisive frame.

Besides the winning trophy, Pakistan 2 earned US $2,400 while Pakistan 1 received runner-up trophy and US$ 1,200 at the pres entation ceremony.

Masih also earned US $800 for being bronze medallist in the preceding 6-Reds event.

The team is due to arrive from Cairo on Saturday morning.

Final result: Pak 2 bt Pak 1 5-4 (76-8, 74-34, 26-70, 78-52, 31-52, 2-53, 46-44, 13-68, 70-29).

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2017