Pankaj Advani “living a dream”
Indian cueist Pankaj Advani grabbed his 24th world title on September 21, when he triumphed at the IBSF 6-Red Snooker World Cup with a victory over Pakistan’s Babar Masih in the final in Doha.
Advani, who won his 11th Asian title recently, started the final with a 42-13 win in the opening frame. Babar drew parity by winning the second 38-14.
In the third frame, Advani made a foul that only he knew he had committed. The 36-year-old won the third and fourth in quick succession to go 3-1 up.
The Pakistani cueist, in no mood to play second fiddle to his worthy opponent, crafted a wonderful 56 break to bridge the gap. Advani shifted gears and then took the next three. Babar won the next three frames as a strong response. At 6-5, it was touch and go. Babar had found his touch and Advani had more to lose at this point being within striking distance of the finish line.
But a classy 32 break off the cue of the multiple world champion put paid to Babar’s hopes. Pankaj ensured a clean slate of wins in Qatar across two international championships.
“I am living a dream. Being away from the table for so long, these two triumphs assure me that my hunger and competitive skills haven’t diminished,” Advani said.