KARACHI, Sept 12: Dangerman Rambel Gul got off to a flying start in the 18th Latif Masters snooker championship, when he won both his matches on the opening day, downing two seeded players on the way at the Karachi Club on Sunday.
The blue ribband of the four ranking tournaments held in the city every year, the Latif Masters carries the richest prize money. NWFP's Rambel, whose current ranking is No.12, shocked sixth seed Imran Shehzad in a match that went the distance.
Playing his match in the second session, Rambel downed seventh seed Mohammad Nazir from Punjab, 4-2 after the frame scores were locked 2-2 at one stage of the match. The first four top seeds also had a marvellous day.
Top seeded Khurram Hussain Agha, began his campaign for the crown by toppling Punjab's Mohammad Asif 4-2. Then moving into top gear, Khurram brushed aside NWFP's Shah Khan 4-0 aided with handsome breaks of 72, 70 and 43 in the second, third and fourth frames.
Second seed Saleh Mohammad was in a more attacking mood. First he blazed past veteran Mohammad Akhlas 4-1 and then bulldozed his way past Minhas Malik 4-0, with breaks of 48 and 41 in the first two frames and a magnificent 99 clearance in the final frame.
Third seed Mohammad Yousuf too was in fine fettle, breezing past Minhas Malik 4-1 and then Mohammad Akhlas by the same margin, chalking up breaks of 61 and 59 in the opening frame.
Fourth seed Naveen Perwani back in the fold after missing out in the Peace Cup series played in India due to his father's illness, finally got the better of Shah Khan 4-2, even after the latter had breaks of 45 and 47 in the first and fifth frames. Then he kept his winning record intact by beating Mohammad Asif 4-1.
Fifth seed Atiq Latif Bux, playing in a tournament dedicated to his famous father the Late Latif Amir Bux, had a horrible start when he was beaten by Punjab youngster Abu Saim 4-2, even after leading 2-1 at one stage of the match. But getting back into his strides later, Atiq made amends by handing out a 4-0 drubbing to Shakeel Bhatti.
Vishan Gir also got off to a fine start winning both matches. First the left-handed cueist overcame the stiff challenge of Shakeel Bhatti 4-3 in a match that lasted over three hours.
Vishan seemed to be in full control winning the first two frames but Shakeel storming back was just one frame away from victory, pinching the next three frames and leading 3-2.
Realising that he was sinking fast, Vishan played his best snooker grabbing the next two frames 73/42 and 66/18, with Shakeel throwing in the towel with one red ball and the six coloureds on the table.
Then taking on the confident Abu Saim, after his 4-2 victory over Atiq, Vishan placed at 3-1, came through a 4-2 winner. For last year's runner-up Amit Parwani it was indeed a mixed bag of fortunes.
Losing the first two frames against his opponent Mohammad Nazir, Amit fought his way out of trouble and went on to win 4-2. But against Imran Shehzad, who chalked up breaks of 47, 46 and 57, it was a different cup of tea altogether.
FOLLOWING WERE THE RESULTS:
Amit Parwani (Sindh) beat Mohammad Nazir (Punjab) 4-2: 20/63, 20/63, 75/2, 51/23, 58/12, 74/51. Naveen Perwani (Sindh) beat Shah Khan (NWFP) 4-2: 82/53, 21/65, 68/41, 64/48, 39/74, 87/29. Khurram Agha (Sindh) beat Mohammad Nazir (Punjab) 4-2: 58/43, 31/58, 69/18, 54/67, 98/13, 86/20. Rambel Gul (NWFP) beat Imran Shehzad (Punjab) 4-3: 11/67, 65/49, 25/81, 57/7, 63/18, 37/46, 68/7. Vishan Gir (Sindh) beat Shakeel Bhatti (Sindh) 4-3: 55/32, 72/46, 35/53, 44/51, 68/76, 73/42, 66/18. Mohammad Yousuf (Sindh) beat Minhas Malik (Sindh) 4-1: 53/43, 63/19, 53/14, 23/61, 55/21. Saleh Mohammad (NWFP) beat Mohammad Akhlas (Sindh) 4-1: 67/5, 40/67, 82/8, 80/0, 72/40. Abu Saim (Punjab) beat Atiq Latif Bux (Sindh) 4-2: 60/39, 34/67, 21/61, 57/20, 59/45, 73/20. Rambel Gul (NWFP) beat Mohammad Nazir (Punjab) 4-2: 52/15, 25/73, 74/8, 72/43, 44/45, 69/14. Naveen Perwani (Sindh) beat Mohammad Asif (Punjab) 4-1: 43/79, 74/3, 73/51, 64/9, 57/39. Khurram Hussain Agha (Sindh) beat Shah Khan (NWFP) 4-0: 67/50, 80/21, 94/2, 78/9. Imran Shehzad (Punjab) beat Amit Parwani 4-1: 104/7, 59/71, 59/17, 66/18, 60/57. Vishan Gir (Sindh) beat Abu Saim (Punjab) 4-2: 76/11, 78/37, 38/56, 70/35, 16/59, 71/5. Mohammad Yousuf (Sindh) beat Mohammad Akhlas (Sindh) 4-1: 120/0, 65/78, 69/38, 62/3, 63/20. Saleh Mohmmad (NWFP) beat Minhas Malik (Sindh) 4-0: 98/9, 72/1, 74/20, 110/0. Atiq Latif Bux (Sindh) beat Shakeel Bhatti (Sindh) 4-0: 62/49, 61/15, 62/33, 59/36.