Asian champion Alok Kumar and Pankaj Advani turned in dazzling performances on the second day of the Lawrencepur Snooker Challenge to put India in the driver's seat against Pakistan after the penultimate day's play at the Karachi Club in Karachi on Friday.
After 30 frames, India, who started the day leading 12-11, were 31-20 ahead after enjoying a 22-15 advantage after four matches.
On the final day, Saturday, a maximum of 15 frames will be played and minimum of 17 points are up for grabs, excluding one bonus point for a half-century break and two points for century break.
The difference between the two teams was undoubtedly the duo of Alok Kumar and Pankaj Advani. If Advani earned five of the first 10 points that the Indians won on the second day,
Alok Kumar snatched three points from Saleh Mohammad in the sixth match and then hit the jackpot by winning the Lucky Seven to earn seven points for his team in the last two matches.
Alok shared points with Saleh Mohammad despite losing the day's last but one match 69-65, 76-10 and 0-85 before winning the three-pointer Lucky Seven singles against Saleh Mohammad 104-34 that included a clearance of 64.
Earlier, Alok had provided a perfect start to his team when he combined with Manan Chandra to beat the team of Mohammad Yousuf and Imran Shahzad 69-45; that score included a break of 61 by Chandra.
Before Alok got into his stride, Advani, the former world snooker champion and reigning world billiards champion, put aside the disappointment of missing colours in the Lucky Seven singles on Thursday against Imran Shahzad and single-handedly earned five out of 10 points in the first four matches of the day.
Together with Devendra Joshi, Advani beat the pair of Saleh Mohammad and Naveen Perwani with the youngster's additional contribution being one bonus for a half-century break.
The 19-year-old soft-spoken and down to earth Advani, in the match of former world champions, then destroyed 1993 champion Mohammad Yousuf 115-5, 59-6, 10-62 that includes two half-century breaks in the first frame.
"I think it was a great day for our team. We put our heads down and stuck to task. But I think the decisive factor was Alok Kumar's performance in the last two matches," Advani said.
"I know we have a big advantage going into the third day but we have to maintain consistency and stay focused because the Pakistanis are experienced opponents and can pounce on you if you relax," he added.
Friday's results:
Match 1 (Doubles): M Yousuf/Imran Shahzad lost to Alok Kumar/Manan Chandra 45-69 (61).
India 2 Pakistan 0
Match 2 (Doubles): Saleh Mohammad/Naveen Perwani lost to Devendra Joshi/Pankaj Advani 57(56) - 64(53).
India 2 Pakistan 1
Match 3 (singles): Devendra Joshi beat Naveen Perwani 65-29, 58-41, 21-87(66).
India 2 Pakistan 2
Match 4 (singles): Pankaj Advani beat Mohammad Yousuf 115 (50, 64)-05, 59-06 10-62.
India 4 Pakistan 1
Match 5 (singles): Manan Chandra beat Imran 06-89 (82), 71-48, 85-14.
Pakistan 2 India 2
Match 6 (singles): Saleh Mohammad beat Alok Kumar 69 (54)-65 (59), 76-10, 0-85 (59).
Pakistan 3 India 3
Match 7 (Lucky Seven singles): Alok Kumar beat Saleh Mohammad 104 (64)-34.
Total (after 30 frames): India 31 Pakistan 20.
Earlier report: Advani puts India in command
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