KARACHI, Feb 14: Defending Champion Muhammad Yousuf faced a strong challenge from qualifier Shakir Rafiq before moving into the quarterfinal of 29th National Snooker Championship at Karachi Club Billiards Hall on Saturday.

Also joined Yousuf in the last eight stage of the competition included his arch-rival Saleh Muhammad, top seed Khurram Hussain Agha, fourth seed Naveen Perwani and Muhammad Nazir and Imran Shehzad.

Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played on Sunday while the best of 13-frame final will be played on Monday.

Former world and Asian champion seeded four Yousuf recovered from 1-2 deficit to overcame spirited Sindh Champion Shakir 5-3 after keenly contested encounter.

Demonstrating fighting qualities mixed some good potting and positional play Shakir took the opening frame 60-54. But veteran Yousuf pulled the next frame to par level 1-1.

However, talented Shakir playing his first national championship again forged ahead seizing frame number three.

However, Yousuf bidding for his 13th national championship title blanked Shakir 70-0 to make it 2-all.

Despite good effort by Shakir, Yousuf increased his lead to 4-2 by next two frames. With Yousuf was just frame away from away to reach the final, Shakir again put a superior potting to make it 4-3.

Enjoying vast international experience Yousuf picked the decider 69-43 to settled the issue.

The first pre-quarterfinal between hardly lasted half an hour as Amit Perwani surrendered his match after losing his first two frame.

He informed marker Muhammad Subhan Bakhsh that he was not feeling well and left the arena in disappointment.

Ranked tenth in Pakistan Amit was dejected after draw pitted him against cousin Naveen Perwani.

Khurram was in devastating mood as he stemrolled Abu Saim from Sialkot in five straight frames.

Pakistan number one Khurram chalked breaks of 54, 62, 69 and 49 in the first frame to oust Saim.

Second seed Saleh dropped the third and penultimate frame before emerging 5-2 winner. Saleh's only notable break of 77 came in the opening frame.

Diminutive Imran Shehzad of Punjab was also in great nick when he brushed aside Shah Khan of NWFP 5-0.

In Sunday quartefinals Saleh Muhammad take on Muhammad Nazir, Naveen Perwani will be up against Muhammad Yousuf.

Earlier on the final day's league matches from pool "F", Atiq Latif Bakhsh and Saqib Butt and from pool "H" Shakir Rafiq joined Vishan Gir in the last 16 stage after winning their matches.

Results:

Naveen Perwani (Sindh) bt Amit Parwani 2-0 (62-12, 56-44) conceded the match; Saleh Muhammad (NWFP) bt Imran Mughal (Pjb) 5-2 (107-05, 54-38, 0-70, 75-29, 73-03, 46-67, 65-47); Muhammad Nazir (Pjb) bt Saqib Butt (Pjb) 5-1 (71-33, 58-49, 69-48, 11-49, 62-41, 69-42); Muhammad Yousuf (KPT) bt Shakir Rafiq (Sindh) 5-3 (54-60, 62-22, 57-71, 70-0, 64-50, 70-24, 46-65, 69-43); Khurram Agha (KPT) bt Abu Saim (Pjb) 5-0 (100-0, 99-09, 83-09, 69, 73-18, 73-58); Imran Shahzad (Pjb) bt Shah Khan (NWFP) 5-0 (64-44, 49-30, 64-27, 77-08, 82-0).-APP