Muhammad Asif ousts Imran Shahzad in epic semi-final – 2011 Del Monte fourth Ranking Snooker Cup
Muhammad Asif has cruised into the final of the 2011 Del Monte fourth Ranking Snooker Cup as he stunned Pakistan number 1 and top seed Imran Shahzad by a frame score of 6-5 in their semi-final match today at the Southend Club housed in the Defence Housing
Authority, Karachi, Pakistan.
It was an enthralling semi-final which went all the way before Asif clinched the victory. The overall score-line between the players was 22-63, 51-15, 77-47, 65-1, 72-6, 4-81, 0-74, 47-53, 63-22, 69-70 and 0-87.
In the opening frame, a few chances were exchanged before Asif appeared on top to draw the first blood 1-0. Shahzad responded in the following frame and levelled the score line at 1-1 playing tactically.
Asif was the first one in the third frame but he lost control of his emotions breaking down on 34 and when the chance presented itself, Imran slotted a magnificent break of 71 to go in front at 2-1. Imran also won the following two frames in a row to further
extend his lead by 4-1.
It was looking like a one-man show because Shahzad just needed two more frames to reach the finish line. However, everybody was left flabbergasted when Asif bounced back into the game with all of his zeal energy and strength to level the score-line at 4-4.
Asif knocked in a marvellous break of 75 in the sixth frame before firing in a 45 and a 29 in the seventh.
The eighth frame was a dramatic one. Many chances were seen coming and going but once again, it was Asif who cleared the table under pressure with a break of 27.
Though Shahzad managed in winning the ninth frame with a prominent break of 48, he lost the following tenth and eleven again.
Asif needed snooker in the tenth frame and he showed great temperament to win it. In the eleventh frame, however he did not give much chance to Shahzad and sealed victory with breaks of 28 and 59.
Muhammad Asif will now play the winner of Sharjeel Mehmood versus Muhammad Sajjad in the final tomorrow.
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