ISLAMABAD: Promising Mohammad Naseem Akhtar won his second title in two days when he outplayed Haris Tahir in the Under-21 final of the National Junior Snooker Championships at Pakistan Sports Complex’s Billiard and Snooker Hall here Thursday. Naseem, who had on Wednesday beaten Shaikh Mudassir to claim the Under-18 national crown, by winning the Under-21 title has made a new national record of clinching both the titles in the National Junior Championships. In the Under-21 decider, Naseem was up against Haris, his senior opponent who remained runner-up in the last edition. Dominating the final almost throughout, Naseem won the 11-frame battle 6-1 (80-40, 42-70, 56-47, 85-10, 71-54, 76-04, 51-41). Showing excellent control over powerful and slow shots, Naseem was equally magnificent in his defence not allowing his opponent at any stage to settle. “I am very happy. Winning back-to-back (Under-18 and Under-21) National Championship titles is a major achievement,” a jubilant Naseem told reporters at the prize distribution ceremony.
Earlier, in the Under-18 Championship, Naseem had remained unbeaten as he didn’t even lose a single frame and also registered the highest break of 70. However, in the Under-21 category, Haris recorded the highest break of 75. According to tournament director Naveed Kapadia, both finalists will represent the country in the Asian Under-21 Championship to be hosted by India in April. “They will also feature in the Junior World Cup likely to be held in China,” the official added. PBSF president Munawwar Shaikh, former president Alamgir Shaikh and MB Ghori attended the prize-distribution ceremony along with several other dignitaries.