Muhammad Shahid elbows Sultan Muhammad out of the 36th NJI National Snooker Championship
The present Punjab Champion M. Shahid outplayed his opponent M. Sultan Riaz in the semi-final of the 36th NJI National Snooker Championship held at the Gymkhana, Karachi on February 8, 2011.
It was a best-of-eleven frames semi-final match which ended up with a 6-3 frame score in favour of M. Shahid and M. Sultan respectively.
As snooker is a game of nerves as both players looked unable to come up to the expectations of the audience as well as the viewers. Neither of them could impress with their skill and expertise in the game. It was a very long-drawn match which made
the players battle for the victory for more than 4 hours.
The first frame went long until the last pink and black were left on the table. However, it was won by M. Shahid. Second frame also was seen being taken by M. Shahid. Third frame, which proved even longer than the first frame, also went on the colour
balls. There was only a difference of 10 points between the scores but finally it went in the favour of M. Shahid again.
Similarly, the fourth frame was also pocketed by M. Shahid but there was comparatively good game showed by the players this time. M. Shahid initially made a break of 33 until an unfortunate foul came up by pink ball going into the centre on opening
up the reds. This time Sultan composed himself, wrestled better, showed a break of 52 but luck did not favour as the green ball rolled against him by sitting on the jaws of pocket.
At that point, M. Sultan bounced back composed, with zeal, energy and strength as he won three frames in a row. Here the public expected that Sultan will face Shahid on equal terms and by this speed may even lead.
However, it was seen by the viewers as well as the audience that both players had become nervous because they kept making simple unforced errors in the game. Shahid too showed his strength, clinched consecutive two frames, and came out as victorious.
M. Shahid is now scheduled to play the final with Pakistan’s number 2 Imran Shehzad on February 9, 2011 at the same venue.
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