Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif clinches third world snooker title

DOHA: In a thrilling display of skill, Pakistan’s snooker sensation Muhammad Asif captured his third World Snooker Championship title.

Competing in the IBSF World Snooker Championship, Asif outplayed Iran’s Asian Champion Ali Ghareghozlou with a decisive 5-3 victory in the final.

According to reports from Qatar, Asif continued his remarkable form throughout the nine-frame final, leaving his opponent with few answers to his impressive skill set. This achievement cements Asif’s place in history as a three-time world champion.

With this win, Asif equals the record of India’s Pankaj Advani, who also holds three world titles. The 42-year-old from Faisalabad first won the IBSF World Championship in 2012 and reclaimed the title in 2019.

Also read: ACBS Asian Snooker Championship 2024: Pakistan bags silver

Asif’s journey to the final was filled with exceptional performances, including setting a tournament record with six century breaks. He secured his spot in the final after an intense 5-3 semifinal victory over Cyprus’ Michael Georgiou. Earlier, Asif had booked his place in the last four with a 4-1 win over UAE’s Muhammad Shehab.

In the wake of his triumph, the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association’s Chairman Alamgir Sheikh and other officials extended their congratulations, calling Asif’s achievement a source of national pride. They expressed hope that Asif, like Olympic javelin gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, will receive due recognition and rewards for his remarkable feat on the global stage.