Pakistan's Muhammad Sajjad was defeated by Thailands Issara Kachaiwong who won his second Asian Snooker title in four years. - APP (File Photo)
KARACHI Issara Kachaiwong of Thailand won his second Asian snooker title in four years when he beat Pakistan's Mohammad Sajjad 7-3 in the final in Chanthaburi before a sizeable home crowd on Saturday.

Earlier, he had done his country proud by capturing the crown in Sri Lanka in 2006.

The title clash saw the two players fighting aggressively until three-all when the Pakistani gave up losing the next four frames in a row.

Kachaiwong won the battle 17-49, 78-15, 65-73, 94-40, 66-6, 43-64, 85-30, 81-1, 123-8, 120-1.

The Thai cracked three efficient breaks of 78, 80 and 61 in the second, ninth and tenth frames. Sajjad chalked up a break of 51 in the sixth frame.

Sajjad became the second Pakistani to have played the final since the inception of the Asian Snooker Championship in 1984 the first being veteran Mohammad Yousuf who captured the crown in 1998. Sajjad, however, earned the distinction of scoring highest break (134) of the event.

Earlier, Kachaiwong's compatriot Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon edged past two-time former Asian champion, Yasin Merchant of India, 3-1 to seize third position.

After conceding the opener 0-88, the Thai was home 64-59, 106-0, 77-36.

Results

Final Issara Kachaiwong (Thailand) bt Mohammad Sajjad (Pakistan) 7-3 (17-49, 78-15, 65-73, 94-40, 66-6, 43-64, 85-30, 81-1, 123-8, 120-1).

Playoff for third position Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon (Thailand) bt Yasin Merchant (India) 3-1 (0-88, 64-59, 106-0, 77-36).

Opinion

Editorial

Forgotten inmates
26 Feb, 2025

Forgotten inmates

PAKISTAN’S jails are an embarrassment to any notion of justice and rehabilitation. A report prepared by the...
Controlling crypto
26 Feb, 2025

Controlling crypto

THOUGH Pakistan’s official position on cryptocurrencies has evolved considerably over the years, there still seems...
Deadly roads
26 Feb, 2025

Deadly roads

DRIVING in Karachi can be hazardous, with chaos on the roads, and very little by way of following rules and...
All out
Updated 25 Feb, 2025

All out

PAKISTAN cricket captain Mohammad Rizwan’s assessment was brutal — it could not have been any other way. At ...
Bearing the brunt
25 Feb, 2025

Bearing the brunt

FOR the past several months, we have repeatedly been told by the prime minister and his cabinet that the government...
Afghan resettlement
25 Feb, 2025

Afghan resettlement

AFGHAN refugees who fled their country after the Taliban took over in 2021, and who hoped to resettle in the West,...