KARACHI, April 28: Rambel Gul and Saleh Mohammad, both representing NWFP, sprang big surprises to set a date for final in the Style Snooker Championship at Karachi Club on Saturday.

Trailing down 2-4, Rambel stormed back to inflict 5-4 defeat on reigning national champion, Naveen Perwani. He was home 0-102, 0-85, 61-34, 16-84, 57-6, 9-56, 76-64, 72-19, 55-47 in the gruelling semi-final.

Making his appearance in the circuit after a long layoff, unseeded Saleh sent his arch rival Mohammad Yousuf packing by handing 5-3 defeat. He won 47-69, 86-6, 95-15, 52-50, 66-19, 18-119, 21-74, 68-22.

The best of 11 frames final between Rambel and Saleh will be played Sunday at 3pm.

Naveen who had an impressive start by taking 3-1 and 4-2 lead should curse himself for the defeat. He build up three fine breaks of 95, 54 and 64 in the first, second and fourth frames. Needing just one frame to win the battle, he lost his concentration conceding last three frames in a row.

Rambel, who humbled Abu Saim 5-3 in quarter-finals, has impressed with his performance following a dismal run in the national’s last month. He piled up breaks of 45 and 72 in the sixth and eighth frames.

In the other encounter, Saleh had a firm grip on the match as he raced on to earn 4-1 lead against defending champion Yousuf. The latter, however, recovered by taking sixth and seventh frames but in vain. He also chalked up century break of 119 in the sixth frame.

Results (semi-finals):

Rambel Gul bt Naveen Perwani 5-4 (0-102, 0-85, 61-34, 16-84, 57-6, 9-56, 76-64, 72-19, 55-47); Saleh Mohammad bt Mohammad Yousuf 5-3 (47-69, 86-6, 95-15, 52-50, 66-19, 18-119, 21-74, 68-22).

Sunday’s fixtures (final):

Rambel Gul v Saleh Mohammad at 3pm.