Hussain Khan storms into final stage of IBSF World Snooker Championships

India’s Hussain Khan staged a remarkable comeback from 1-3 down to defeat Germany’s Richard Wienold 4-3 and qualify for the final stage of the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Doha, joining compatriots Pankaj Advani and Brijesh Damani

Hyderabad: Unheralded Hussain Khan of India rallied from the brink to advance to the final stage of the IBSF World Snooker Championships in Doha (Qatar) on Wednesday.

Down and out at 1-3 in the do-or-die pre-quarterfinal against Richard Wienold, Hussain staged a spirited comeback to put it past the German cueist 4-3.

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Even in the tense deciding frame of the best-of-seven match, the Indian had to play out of his skin and eventually won on the final black ball 84-72. All the quarterfinalists qualified for the final stage.

Hussain joins fellow Indians Pankaj Advani and Brijesh Damani in the final stage of the competition that begins on Saturday. Advani, a three-time champion, will start as one of the favourites for the title.

Six Indians are in the fray in the women’s section, including Heyball World Championships bronze medallist Amee Kamani.

Result (Pre-quarterfinal): Hussain Khan (Ind) bt Richard Wienold (Ger) 4-3 (31-101, 67-2, 30-69, 15-77 (76), 62-26, 62-37, 84-72).