KARACHI, June 19: India beat Pakistan 4-3, in a nailbiting finish in the first Test for the snooker Peace Cup which was played at Chandigarh, India according to a message received (partly reported in Saturday's edition).

India got off to a flying start when Manan Chandra beat Khurram Hussain Agha 2-0 with a stunning break of 56 in the opener. India went further ahead after the reigning Asian champion Alok Kumar made short work of Saleh Mohammad 2-0, chalking up a break of 44 in the second frame.

With Saleh and Khurram surrendering meekly in the doubles event 2-0 to Pankaj Advani and Rafath Habib with Pankaj scoring 63 points on the trot in the second frame. The Indians sitting pretty 3-0 were scenting an easy victory with four more matches to play.

Later, Mohammad Yousuf downed the former Asian champion Yasin Merchant 2-0, scoring 38 points on the trot in the first frame, to enable Pakistan to draw closer.

Imran Shehzad and Atiq Latif Bux shocked the experienced pair of Yasin Merchant and Alok Kumar 2-0, as Pakistan drew abreast 3-3.

Atiq Latif Bux faced Rafath Habib in the deciding seventh match. Atiq in whirlwind fashion lifted the spirits of the Pakistan team with a fine break of 44 in the opening frame. Soon he was still in front by 43 points with 35 points on the table.

But Atiq muffed an easy brown pot in the bottom pocket. Rafath with a sigh of relief inched his way closer and then potting brown, blue, pink and black won the opening frame 75/67.

Terribly disappointed with himself, Atiq's game went to pieces in the second frame, losing the second and match 59/17.

Following were the results:

Singles: Manan Chandra (India) beat Khurram Hussain Agha (Pakistan) 2-0: 110/24, 70/23. Alok Kumar (India) beat Saleh Mohammad (Pakistan) 2-0: 81/27, 58/44.

Doubles: Pankaj Advani and Rafath Habib (India) beat Saleh Mohammad and Khurram Hussain Agha 2-0: 82/13, 69/21.

Singles: Imran Shehzad (Pakistan) beat Pankaj Advani (India) 2-0: 61/31, 53/27. Mohammad Yousuf (Pakistan) beat Yasin Merchant (India) 2-0: 64/47, 68/41.

Doubles: Imran Shehzad and Atiq Latif Bux (Pakistan) beat Alok Kumar and Yasin Merchant (India) 2-0: 57/44, 73/32.

Singles: Rafath Habib (India) beat Atiq Latif Bux 2-0: 75/67, 59/17.