KARACHI: Babar Masih, the first cueist from Rawalpindi to win a national level snooker tournament, has risen to the top rank by virtue of his recent title triumph.
A spokesman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) confirmed that Babar, 29, has leapfrogged from fourth position to the top slot after winning Jubilee Insurance 2nd Ranking Snooker Championship 2016 here on Saturday.
Making his first-ever appearance in the final of any national-ranking event, he edged out Asjad Iqbal 6-5 in an epic final which went to the full distance of 11 frames and lasted nearly six hours.
Babar, whose break of 135 also earned him the award of the highest break of the eight-day championship, dedicated his maiden title triumph to the legendary boxer Mohammad Ali who had passed away earlier the same day.
Babar has displaced Mohammad Bilal who was the defending national champion. Sohail Shahzad, who was one of the losing semi-finalists, is expected to retain his second place with runner-up Asjad set to move to the third position from his previous ranking of seventh.
Bilal, who was the top seed, may slip to the fourth position after his early exit. Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sajjad could also get demoted with Abu Saim and Shahid Aftab rising due to their recent creditable performance.
Shahid Afridi at the Mosa Cricket Stadium in Houston. — Facebook/Moosa Cricket Stadium KARACHI: Pakistan’s T20...
Babar Azam speaks during a press conference. — AFP/FileLAHORE: Several Pakistani players have made notable strides...
The Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. — Facebook/PakStadiumsLAHORE: Iram Javed’s impressive half-century propelled...
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. — AFP FileLONDON: Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino expects yet another...
The FA Cup trophy is displayed inside the Etihad Stadium on January 7, 2024. — AFP LONDON: Campaign group Fair Game...
World number one Novak Djokovic. — AFP FileLONDON: World number one Novak Djokovic thanked his long-time fitness...