Zuraish outclasses Anver to emerge champion
Zuraish Hashim of OAC bagged a top title after a long lapse
Zuraish Hashim of Otters AC (OAC) outclassed Anver Azeez of Moors SC (MSC) by four frames to one in the seven frames final encounter of the Masters Snooker Championship played at the AAC billiards table to emerge champion.
Zuraish an experience cueist had little difficulty in brushing off the challenge of Anver as after taking an early lead conceded only the second frame to come out easy winner.
Earlier in the two semi final clashes saw Zuraish coasting to a comfortable win over A.D.R.C. Alwis of AAC while Anver underwent some anxious moments against Baratha Siriwardena of BRC before recording a nail biting 3-2 win in the five frame encounter.
Champion Zuraish will now take wings to participate in the forthcoming World Masters Snooker Championship scheduled to be played in Qatar from November 18 and in the process Zuraish becomes the only Sri Lanka cueist to have played in all the three categories of the World Snooker Championships.
Zuraish first played in the World Junior Snooker Championship in 1991 and then went on to represent Sri Lanka at the World Snooker Championship in 2003 which was won by the high riding youngster Pankaj Advani of India and this year the World Masters Snooker Championship which is no doubt a great achievement. Zuraish will be accompanied by the runner up Anver Azeez.
Results
- Semi-finals: Anver Azeez (MSC) beat Bharatha Siriwardena (BRC) 3-2 (33/58, 48/24, 24/53, 54/46, 60/53). Zuraish Hashim (OAC) beat A.D.R.C. Alwis (AAC) 3-0 (58/12, 53/6, 77/28)
- Final: Zuraish Hashim (OAC) beat Anver Azeez (MSC) 4-1 (62/29, 37/46, 56/26, 61/24, 54/43).
- Third Place Play Off: A.D.R.C. Alwis (AAC) beat Bharatha Siriwardena (BRC) 1-0 (50/44).