Sajjad, who lost his national crown to Mohammad Asif last year, survived a scare when he fought back from 1-3 down to turn the tables on his opponent winning 6-4 —File Photo

He is set to meet country's top player and his mentor Mohammad Sajjad in the Monday's title clash after the latter rallied to overcome fighting Sindh's Sohail Shehzad 6-4 in the other pre-final.

By virtue of making it to the final, Asjad and Sajjad have booked a passage for Thailand where 26th Asian championship takes place from May 8 to 15.

The former has already represented Pakistan in the IBSF World under-21 Snooker Championship in Iran in the preceding year.

Making his maiden appearance in the country's premier championship of the game, the former national junior champion who edged past Shehram Changezi 5-3 in quarters on Saturday, recovered after he saw 1-0 lead slipped from his hands to post magnificent 6-2 victory over his opponent.

He won the four-hour encounter 51-44, 18-92, 43-64, 70-22, 50-44, 57-22, 92-28, 61-26.

Contrary to the first semi-final, the second between Mohammad Sajjad and Sohail Shehzad was fought fiercely.

Sajjad, who lost his national crown to Mohammad Asif last year, survived a scare when he fought back from 1-3 down to turn the tables on his opponent winning 6-4 the scores being 30-80, 74-26, 40-78, 65-94, 70-1, 82-36, 79-48, 70-51, 32-63, 65-42.

Sajjad also piled up two steady breaks of 70 and 55 in the seventh and eighth frames respectively while his opponent hammered a break of 70 in the third.

The winner will receive Rs50,000 while the runner up earns Rs30,000 out of total prize money of RS125,000.

Results
Semi-finals Asjad Iqbal (Punjab) bt Mohammad Jawed (Punjab) 6-2 (51-44, 18-92, 43-64, 70-22, 50-44, 57-22, 92-28, 61-26); Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) bt Sohail Shehzad (Sindh) 6-4 (30-80, 74-26, 40-78, 65-94, 70-1, 82-36, 79-48, 70-51, 32-63, 65-42).