Being ranked 44 in the world itself is creditable given the layers of competition one has to endure to even make it to the top 128. India's Yasin Merchant will agree that getting into the 100-bracket in snooker is probably as difficult as in tennis. Yasin spent six years trying to break the 128 (ranking) barrier. That would have helped him rake in prize money to fund his pursuit. Increasing competition at the lower levels, coupled with the enormous expenses involved in staying in England for the better part of the year, forced Yasin to accept reality and give up his dream.

At 28, Shokat looks ahead to a bright future given his ability and undoubted talent. Now that he has made it to the final of the snooker singles, the Pakistan No 1 has done enough to underline hisposition as Asia's leading player.

Born in Blackburn and presently residing in Accrington, Lancashire, Shokat has held on to his Pakistani passport which made him eligible to represent his country at the Asiad, unlike the case of Mumbai's Nalin Patel, who was born in Britain and continues to hold a British passport, ruling him out of the Bangkok Games.

``The pressure in the Asian Games is slightly different from what you have to undergo in professional tournaments. Yes, the prestige of playing for the country with millions hoping for a medal does put you under some pressure, but let me tell you it is far more difficult on the professional circuit,'' said the pleasant-mannered Shokat.

Like all other snooker players assembled in Bangkok, playing for medals and not so much the money has been a new experience. ``Frankly, I do not know how to explain it all, because this is a first time experience for me. Yes, I will definitely go for the gold tonight,'' he said while looking ahead to the match againstMalaysia's Sam Chong in the snooker singles final.

Yasin, during a pre-tournament chat, had warned that Shokat would be the player to watch in the competition. ``He is a terrific player and I wouldn't be surprised if he does extremely well here,'' was Yasin's prediction.

And sure enough, Shokat lived up to his billing as the strongest player in the field. Win or loss against Chong in the final, Shokat has served notice that he is well and truly ready to take over from the `Thaiphoon.' It is just a matter of time.