India came back from the jaws of defeat to beat Thailand 2-1 and lift the Asian Open Invitational Snooker team championship in Beijing, on Sunday.
National champion Alok Kumar, who was playing the deciding rubber, stared defeat in the fourth frame before coming back strongly to beat Kobkit Palajin 3-2 and clinch the title.
Alok, who is also the reigning Asian champion, was down 1-2 and trailed by 50 points, but the experienced cueist came up with a half-century break to win the frame on the black ball.
He went on to win the next frame and avenge a defeat against the same opponent in the league stage.
The Indians had gone down to Thailand 0-3 in their opening league encounter.
India, however, failed to get a good start as Manan Chandra went down 1-3 to Paithoon Phonboon in the first rubber.
Former IBSF world champion Pankaj Advani then levelled the score for the Indians when he beat Supoj Saenlah 3-1 to take the match to the decider.
Indian team captain Alok was elated at the victory and said it was a great achievement.
"We came here as underdogs and did not even think that we will reach the finals. But we managed to beat formidable teams like China and Thailand and it is a great achievement," he said.
