Khurram clinches Pakistan Cue Masters Crown
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

KARACHI: Superb performance in pool contest by Khurram Agha played a vital role in the inaugural AKD Pakistan Cue Masters Championship with an exciting 7-6 victory over Atiq Latif Bakhsh in the final at Karachi Club Hall Friday evening.

25-year-old Atiq maintained 4-2 advantage after both shared a frame each in billiards competition.

However, Khurram produced his best under pressure when he was 5-6 down as Atiq needed just one pool frame to seal victory. But displaying masterly game, Khurram wrapped-up the last two pool frames to emerge winner.

Khurram, a losing quarterfinalist in 2002 World Snooker Championship at Cairo (Egypt), showed great control in pool by chalking out 5-2 win which assured him the title.

Chairman AKD Group of Companies Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, who was Chief Guest presented the glittering trophy and cash prize of Rs. 50,000 to winner Khurram Agha and Rs. 30,000 runner-up trophy to Atiq Latif Bakhsh.

President Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association Asghar Valika SVP Jameel A.Sakrani, President and Secretary KC Rafiq Suleman and Yousuf Suleman and Sports Convener Mirza Akhtar Ali were also present on the occasion.

The score line in favor of Khurram was Snooker 46-64, 44-79, 71-60, 23-76, Billiards 52-10, 26-51 and Pool 5-2.

Earlier, in the pre-final seasoned international Khurram came from behind to end a fine run of play by province-mate Sohail Shahzad with an impressive 7-4 victory.

Youthful Sohail offered a great challenge in traditional snooker game by sharing four frames. Sohail started smartly by grabbing the opening frame but Khurram took the next two with neatly carved out break of 72 in third frame. A break of 46 saw Sohail levelling terms 2-2.

28-year-old Khurram picked both the billiards frame to gain 4-2 advantage. Lanky Sohail produced stunning performance in pool competition but eventually Khurram utilising his vast experience sealed the fate by winning two successive pool frames to secure unassailable 7-4 lead.

Atiq Latif Bakhsh son of great late Latif Amir, registered a commanding 7-3 success against second seed Imran Shahzad.

It was great win by Atiq as Imran Shahzad is ranked second in snooker and National Billiards Champion and considered a good all-round cueman.
Despite some challenge, Atiq took 3-0 lead in snooker before Imran Shahzad won the fourth frame.

Talented Atiq showed all round skill in billiards by wrapping up both the frames.
Imran Shahzad started well by grabbing the first two frames in pool but Atiq reached the winning score line by pocketing the next two frames.

Following are semifinal results (winners score first): Khurram (Sindh) bt Sohail Shahzad (Sindh) 7-4 Snooker 18-75, 60-28, 85-0, 07-64 Billiards 51-05, 52-48, Pool 3-2 Atiq Latif Bakhsh (Sindh) bt Imran Shahzad (Punjab) 7-3 Snooker 80-52, 69-54, 71-09, 26-71 Billiards 51-44, 52-25, Pool 2-2.●