KARACHI, Jan 22: Two former national champions - Khurram Agha and Naveen Perwani - cue-off against each other after they stormed into the final of 19th Sindh Snooker Cup in contrasting styles at Snooker Zone on Saturday.
Khurram, a former Asian No 3, brought winning run of unseeded Faisal Kashmiri to halt imposing to 5-2 victory (10-66, 80-7, 65-33, 61-49, 9-44, 60-33, 78-8) while Naveen fought tooth-and-nail to overcome former world amateur champion, Mohammad Yousuf, in the fully stretched battle 5-4 in the two pre-finals.
After a shaky start losing the opening frame 10-66, Khurram was in comfortable position winning the next three frames 80-7, 65-33, 61-49 to surge 3-1 in the best of nine frames encounter. Khurram failed to concentrate in the fifth frame which he lost 9-44 that reduced his lead to 3-2. However, he had a firm grip in the next two frames which he won 60-33 and 78-8 to emerge victorious.
Contrary to the above match, Naveen staged a remarkable comeback from 2-4 down to turn the tables on Yousuf 5-4.
Displaying his acumen veteran Yousuf enjoyed an edge over his opponent leading 4-2 and needing a frame to wrap up the match. However, that proved to be his last laugh as Naveen put his act together to claim the last three frames in a row.
Meanwhile, all the four semi-finalists have already qualified for the country's premier snooker championship being held in the first quarter of this year.
Results:
Semi-finals: Khurram Agha bt Faisal Kashmiri 5-2 (10-66, 80-7, 65-33, 61-49, 9-44, 60-33, 78-8); Naveen Perwani bt Mohammad Yousuf 5-4 (31-84, 86-16, 21-71, 36-64, 82-61, 41-70, 88-30, 77-33, 73-17). Sunday's fixtures: Khurram Agha v Naveen Perwani final 3.00pm
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