Yasin Merchant Doubles Classic Snooker Tournament

Islam Gymkhana - Mumbai

14-21 February 2008

Joshi-Shandilya oust Yasin-Alok, meet Advani-Chandra in final

Ashok Shandilya taking guard while Joshi looking to the shot

Mumbai: Yasin Merchant won't be holding the trophy named after him. He was spared this embarassment when billiards specialists Dynamic Duo Devendra Joshi and Ashok Shandilya beat snooker greats Indian Lions Yasin and Alok Kumar by 9-2 points in the inaugural Yasin Merchant Classic Invitation Snooker Doubles Tournament, organized by the Yasin Merchant Fan Club, at the Islam Gymkhana on Wednesday.

Joshi and Shandilya won the best-of-seven frame semis 5-2. The tally was boosted by four points, two each for two breaks of over fifty. The Duo play Young Turks and favourites Pankaj Advani /Manan Chandra who beat Action Jacksons Sarang Shroff/Kamal Chawla 6-5 in the other semi-final. This latter match went the distance after 3-all with India's ace snooker players of the last three years, Pankaj and Manan winning the decider to prevail 4-3. Both teams had two bonus points each one for every break ove 50.

Said Yasin: "Our opponents, especially Ashok Shandilya played well. They punished every mistake of ours. I think they are favourites for the title.We prepared this format so that anyone had a chance of winning and we have been vindicated with Joshi/Shandilya winning."

Report :: Pradeep Vijayakar