India’s Advani defends Asian title

India’s Pankaj Advani successfully defended his Asian Snooker title after defeating Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh 6-3 (72-42, 72-0, 70-49, 41-66, 70-17, 30-68, 74-34, 12-50, 64-44) in the best of 11 frames final on Thursday. The 36th edition of the Asian Snooker Championship was organised at Al Messila Luxury Resort where cueists from 19 countries were in the contention of the title. The 36-year-old Advani triumphed in 2019 but in 2017 he was the runner-up. Advani also became the only player who has won the titles in all forms of billiards, snooker, 6Reds, and 10Reds competitions.In 2018, Pankaj, a calendar grand slam winner and 23-time world champion, defeated the same Iranian rival Sarkhosh 8-2 to win the 15-frame IBSF World Snooker Championship also in Doha.In yesterday’s final, Pankaj began with 50-plus break in the first (55) and second (50) but in the ninth and the final frame he posted 63 for a convincing win.Advani was unbeaten during the group stage and was second seed for the knockouts. During the knockout matches, he defeated Tam Yun Fung of Hong Kong 4-2 in the last-16 stage, Alijalil Ali of Iraq 5-3 in the quarter-finals, Cheung Ka Wai of Hong Kong 5-3 in semis. The prize distribution ceremony was graced by the representatives of sponsors, Ooredoo and Al-Maha with the dignitaries of QBSF, ACBS and IBSF.