KARACHI, Sept 2: Fighting Abu Saim produced an incredible performance after being 1-4 down to record an exciting 6-4 win to grab his maiden crown by winning the 14th Snooker Cup national ranking at Area Snooker Club on Friday.

Twenty six years old cueist Saim from Sialkot, staged a grand recovery to shock former World and Asian champion Muhammad Yousuf after over four-hour battle by seizing the last five frames.

Saim’s winning scoreline was 65-40, 20-71, 24-84, 30-77, 23-79, 84-45, 52-43, 57-25, 75-13, 61-35, 55-35. He was richer by Rs 40,000 while Yousuf received Rs 20,000.

Losing semifinalist Saleh Muhammad and Imran Shahzad both collected Rs 10,000 each while highest break award of Rs 5000 went to Imran Shahzad for his 107.

“Winning against Yousuf was like a dream come true,” beaming Saim said after winning the title. “He (Yousuf) is a tough customer and winning the final against him was a great boost for me,” Saim, who made his debut in 2000 nationals said.

“Despite Yousuf’s lead I never lost hope and that determination proved impetus in my winning by first ever national ranking event,” he pointed out.

“My mission is now to represent Pakistan in the upcoming World Snooker Championship and achieve something at the international level,” he maintained.

Saim got off to an encouraging start by picking up the first frame laced with a break of 42. However, experienced Yousuf came back with a vengeance and just outplayed Saim with controlled potting in next four frames to gain control of the match.

After compiling the break of 48 in the second frame, Yousuf carved out the breaks of 56, 55 and 59 in the next successive frames.

Yousuf needed another two frames to seal the fate of the final. But Saim produced his best under intense pressure. Dipping the multicolored balls in stylish fashion Saim won the sixth frames and added the next narrowly 52-43 including a break of 45.

Back-to-back frame boosted Saim’s confidence and playing in pin drop silence, he levelled the terms 4-4 by pocketing the eighth frame.—APP