KARACHI, March 13: The 32nd National Snooker Championship is billed to throw a new champion when seasoned campaigner Naveen Perwani takes on Vishan Gir in the title battle at Karachi Gymkhana on Wednesday.

Third seed Naveen blanked ninth seed Abu Saim 5-0 while 10th seed Vishan propelled into first ranking final of his career ending the pretensions of qualifier Mohammad Shahid with a 5-2 win in the two pre-finals.

Earlier, Shahid pulled off the biggest upset of the competition when he got past defending champion, Khurram Agha, 5-4 in absorbing quarter-final.

Vishan also created quite a stir when he humbled fourth seed Imran Shehzad in similar style 5-4.

In the other two quarter-finals, Naveen whipped qualifier Atif Mughal 5-3 while Saim disposed off Rasees Khan 5-2.

Though Naveen had many feathers in his cap, national title has eluded him on the past three occasions in 1992, 2001 and 2004. The reigning Latif Masters’ champion, who is in excellent form, gave no chance to Saim and quickly wrapped up the match.

Naveen, who performed the first century break of 115 on the second day of the championship, piled up a break of 62 in the second frame in chalking up 56-42, 75-22, 66-38, 81-41 and 65-1 win against Saim.

Vishan, who earlier in the day humbled Imran Shehzad in the fully stretched battle, kept his cool and enjoyed upper hand against Shahid. Vishan, was home 52-64, 67-47, 58-9, 62-54, 50-58, 57-45 and 64-36.

Second seed Mohammad Yousuf, made his exit in pre quarter-finals while top seed Khurram and fourth seed Imran were fallen victim in the last eight stage.

Results (quarter-finals):

Naveen Perwani bt Atif Mughal 5-3 (65-29, 71-30, 26-61, 70-24, 95-13, 25-59, 8-71, 68-46); Abu Saim bt Raees Khan 5-2 (37-76, 73-77, 83-20, 80-1, 72-9, 68-29, 74-54); Mohammad Shahid bt Khurram Agha 5-4 (40-72, 51-48, 66-12, 13-60, 57-65, 40-58, 63-19, 69-4, 71-50); Vishan Gir bt Imran Shehzad 5-4 (22-64, 39-60, 72-17, 89-26, 15-67, 83-73, 79-29, 44-75, 57-19).

(Semi-finals):

Naveen Perwani bt Abu Saim 5-0 (56-42, 75-22, 66-38, 81-41, 65-1); Vishan Gir bt Mohammad Shahid 5-2 (52-64, 67-47, 58-9, 62-54, 50-58, 57-45, 64-36).

Wednesday’s fixtures:

Naveen Perwani v Vishan Gir (final) 2pm.—AZ