Date of Birth (Birthday): July 24, 1985
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Height: 5'5”
Hair Color: Black
Birth Place: Pune, India
Religion: Hindu
Marital Status: Single
Languages: Hindi and English
Hobbies: Music
Mother's Name: Kajal Advani
Brother Shree Advani
Munaf's fathera farmer, emotional but reserved man has confessed that they have seen worse days and occasionally breaks down not believing that the barefoot, lanky son of a humble farmer was actually playing with the cricket greats. The fastest bowler in India today, Munaf Patels sudden rise makes for an inspiring story. Former Indian wicket keeper Kiran More saw Patel bowl at the nets, was duly impressed by what he saw and sent him for training at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. At this stage Munaf was erratic in line and length but his pace caught the eye and he was strongly built. His natural gifts and obvious bowling skills came through in the big break against England early in 2006 where Munaf with match figures of ten for 91 while playing for the Board Presidents XI. His restricted skills with the bat and in the field did not prevent the selectors from including him in the ODI squad and within a short time Patel by adding more variety to his fast bowling - reverse swing and a deceptive slower delivery has made himself a regular in both forms of the game. He was purchased by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and under the leadership of Shane Warne went on to win the tournament. He has subsequently been an integral part of the one day side and has come up with consistent performances.
As of December 2010, Munaf's 7/97 in his first Test against England are the best figures for an Indian fast bowler on debut.
2010- Asian Billiards Championship
2009- World Professional Billiards Championship
2009-Asian Billiards Championship
2008, 2005, 2003- IBSF World Billiards Championship
2005, 2003 - India Junior Snooker Championship
2005, 2003, 2001, 2000 - India Junior Billiards Championship
Pankaj Advani is definitely the pride of India. In a country where Billiards and Snooker have no major following, he has made a name for himself and proved his mettle over and over again. Pankaj is the reigning IBSF World Billiards Champion in both the formats of the game i.e. timed and points. This is not his first world championship title as he had won the same competition in the years 2003 and 2005. Pankaj has also won the Indian Junior Snooker and Indian Junior Billiards Championship on more than one occasion.
In the year 2009, Pankaj Advani was conferred the Padma Shri for his tremendous contributions to the game of Billiards and Snooker. He is one super icon of Indian sports who will bring more accolades in times to come for India.
Pankaj Advani is a champion performer in the field of Billiards. He has won many awards in his career as a professional billiards player. He has been felicitated with many awards, prominent amongst them include Padma Shri, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and the Arjuna Award.