Cue Sports
Pankaj Advani-Aditya Mehta duo clinch World Team Snooker Title
The win furthers Advani’s world title tally to an impressive 23, while it is a maiden title for Aditya.
The Indian pair of Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta crushed a mighty Thai challenge 5-2 to clinch the IBSF World Team Snooker Championship title in Myanmar on Wednesday. The win furthers Advani’s world title tally to an impressive 23, while it is a maiden title for Aditya. Advani, on a winning spree, had sealed a record 22nd world title by winning a fourth-straight final in the 150-up format at the World Billiards Championships last week. The 34-year-old has ensured to bring home a world trophy every year.
It could not have been a better start to India’s campaign as Aditya triumphed in the opener by a phenomenal 65-31 scoreline. Advani, however, failed to capitalise the advantage to his side as he lost the second 9-69.
Aditya turned the doubles tie in favour of India with a handy 55 break. India was leading with three points after a couple of tight frames, requiring only two frames in the best-of-nine final to win the title. There was no stopping Advani in the second doubles frame who took India one frame away with an aid of a 52 break. But it was Aditya who did the magic for India as he outplayed his Thai opponent 83-9 in the seventh to add his name on the privileged list of world champions.
“I am absolutely excited to win my first world title. All the years of hard work and struggle has finally paid off,” an ecstatic Aditya told PTI. It was no different for the 23-time world champion Advani. “It’s a dream trip for me as I return from Myanmar in under three weeks with two World Championship gold medals and a bronze. I’m over the moon to have won the only missing world title on my list and this win is very special for that reason. It’s been a long but satisfying outing. Having to switch from billiards to snooker in a day and to come out on top is a reassurance that specialising in two sports is indeed achievable,” Advani told PTI.
Advani returns home for a week before heading out to Australia for the long format of the World Billiards Championship in the first week of next month.
