KARACHI Mohammad Sajjad, a former national champion and second seed, surged on top of the ladder again when he eased to an authoritative 8-3 victory over third seed Raees Khan in the final of NBP Ranking Snooker championship to land second title of his career at Karachi Club on Monday.
The 25-year-old cueist, a native of Sargodha, who recovered following a shock 3-4 defeat at the hands of veteran Mohammad Yousuf in the group opener, was in aggressive mood as he walked away with the title without getting much opposition in the all-Punjab clash.
Final results were; first frame awarded to Raees, 17-65, 67-14, 70-35, 65-41, 101-13, 73-49, 74-9, 79-65, 56-84, 71-48. The highlight of the four-hour final which fell short of expectation was a century break (101), second of the event hammered by eventual champion in the sixth frame.
Sajjad had notched up 5-2 victory over Raees when the two have met recently in the pre-final of the 34th National Snooker championship.
'I missed easy shots and was under pressure of the opponent that cost me the title,' a dejected Raees who came out of the shadow of superiors to play first final told Dawn.
Sajjad who conceded the opener for coming late found himself in hot waters as Raees cracked a break of 45 to win the second 65-17 and take 2-0 lead in the best of 15 frames final.
There was no stopping then for the former national champion as he raced to win the next seven frames 67-14, 70-35, 65-41, 101-13, 73-49, 74-9, 79-65, to lead 7-2. Raees did some effort by building an efficient break of 73 to win the 10th frame 84-56 as Sajjad won the next 71-46 and the match.
Sajjad received a winning purse of Rs40,000 and winners trophy from the Federal Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani who graced the occasion.
Raees Khan fetched Rs30,000 and the runner up trophy from senior executive vice president of the National Bank Dr. Mirza Abrar Baig.
The Highest Break prize of Rs5,000 went to Khurram Agha for piling up 122 against Mohammad Afzal of Punjab in pre quarters.
Speaking on the occasion the minister said emergence of the champion from Sargodha is a true indication of baize game's popularity in remote areas of the country.
Meanwhile, Lady Luck is definitely smiling on former national champion Mohammad Sajjad who was offered a job in the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) by a senior official soon after he won the NBP Ranking Snooker championship.
The disclosure was made by Senior Executive Vice President of the bank Dr Mirza Abrar Baig at the prize distribution ceremony amidst thunderous applause.
'He will get the appointment letter soon,' sports in charge of the bank, Iqbal Qasim, told Dawn.
This is the first time NBP has pumped in money in the baize game by sponsoring a ranking event.
Sajjad has also become the first cueist who has been offered a job in the NBP which patronises sports on a large scale.
The appointment was offered in response to a request made by president of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) Alamgir Shaikh.
Results
Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab) bt Raees Khan (Punjab) 8-3 (first frame awarded to Raees, 17-65, 67-14, 70-35, 65-41, 101-13, 73-49, 74-9, 79-65, 56-84, 71-48).
