Ayouri in final as Sajjad went down fighting in 7-nation Snooker

KARACHI: Reigning World Champions Hossein Vafaei Ayouri of Iran earned berth in the final of 7-nation Snooker Championship but not before Muhammad Sajjad of Pakistan gave him testing time in the semifinal at local hotel here on Thursday.

Former Asian championship runner-up Sajjad produced finest show of his career before going 6-5 after fully stretched 11 frames encounter lasting 272 minutes.

With top seed and favorites, Ayouri trailing 3-5 after eight frames an upset was on cards.

But in remarkable turnaround, Ayouri kept his nerves in crunch situation. He grabbed the last three frames to demolish earlier good work done by Sajjad.

With match locked 5-all after exciting, fluctuating and intriguing snooker Ayouri made a crucial break of 48 in the 11th frame to take the upper hand after a couple of close miss.

With Sajjad needing snookers, 17-year-old Ayouri showed perfect game to seize the decider and storm into final.

Sajjad made a fine start by taking the opening frame with a break of 54. Ayouri took the next frame. But another clearance of 80 points saw, Sajjad taking 2-1 lead.

The Sajjad put his opponent under pressure but securing a handy 4-2 lead which included a break of 55 in the sixth frame.

However Ayouri kept his nerves in control in pressure situation and recovered 4-5 deficit to level the terms 5-5. Ayouri made a smart break of 80 in the 9th frame. He also out-potted Sajjad in the next two frames to complete victory.

First semifinal result:
Hossein Vafaei Ayouri (Iran) beat Muhammad Sajjad (Pakistan) 6-5 (5-90, 61-14, 00-80,81-00, 5-70, 9-108,78-54, 7-69, 88-17,69-56, 76-15).
(APP)