Defending champion Asjad Iqbal has literally made the National Bank of Pakistan ranking snooker championship his own and it was no different on Tuesday as he went on to beat the reigning world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif by 8-7 frames in the epic final at the National Bank’s Sports Complex on Tuesday.
This was his second consecutive title win and third overall out of the five editions held to date.
The 22-year-old Asjad displayed strong nerves by making no less than four comebacks during the final to post his 66-10, 82-35, 66-65, 49-72, 0-123, 66-57, 58-82, 14-92, 60-68, 83-40, 50-63, 75-48, 36-57, 64-25, 67-40 victory over his world renowned opponent in the all-National Bank final that lasted almost seven hours. The two cueists were tied 4-all at the interval.
By virtue of the triumph, Asjad also avenged his defeat that he tasted at the hands of the world champion in the Group F match. Asif had topped Group F whereas Asjad had finished runner-up.
In the run up to the final, Asjad blanked Sharjeel Mehmood 5-0 in pre quarters, overcame Sohail Shehzad 5-4 in the quarters and thumped Imran Shehzad 6-3 in the semis.
“I’m energised to win whenever this annual event (NBP ranking snooker) is held,” said a delighted Asjad who is contractually employed with the bank.
He won the first NBP title in 2010 followed by 2012 and 2013. Mohammad Sajjad has bagged the remaining two titles. He added,
I request the management of the NBP to confirm my appointment so that I can focus more on my game and bring laurels to the nation.
Asif, meanwhile, commended Asjad’s performance in the event. “In the end, it was luck that went Asjad’s way in the decisive frame,” the world champion said.
Asjad, a former Pakistan No 1, opened the final on a positive note taking a 3-0 lead compiling breaks of 57, 66 and 51 in the first, second and third frames. He conceded the next two frames only to bounce back to surge 4-2.
However Asif — the two-time former national champion — regained confidence and raced to win the seventh, eighth and ninth frames to lead 5-4. He also enjoyed a slender 6-5, and 7-6 lead on two more occasions but on each occasion Asjad neutralised it before wrapping up the match by claiming the decisive 15th frame. Asjad struck two more breaks of 58 and 51 in the seventh and ninth frames respectively.
Asif hammered four elegant breaks of 52 in the third, 54 and 65 in the fifth and 78 in the eighth frame.
Asjad received a cash prize of Rs60,000 and the winners trophy while Asif got Rs35,000 and runner-up trophy from the chief guest, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.
Shafiullah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa fetched Rs5,000 for the highest break of 130.
Also present at the presentation among others were executive vice-president and head of Human Resource NBP, Qamar Hussain, head of CSR division NBP, Iqbal Qasim and president of the PBSF, Alamgir Shaikh.
Final result:
Asjad Iqbal (Punjab) bt Mohammad Asif (Punjab) 8-7 (66-10, 82-35, 66-65, 49-72, 0-123, 66-57, 58-82, 14-92, 60-68, 83-40, 50-63, 75-48, 36-57, 64-25, 67-40).
