KARACHI: Pakistan’s top cueist, Muhammad Asif, added another remarkable achievement to his career on Wednesday by clinching the IBSF World Snooker Championship title in Doha, Qatar.
This victory marks Asif’s third individual world title, placing him among the snooker greats with a record matched only by India’s Pankaj Advani.
The 42-year-old Asif entered the championship as a wildcard entrant, having secured his place through the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA).
Despite joining as a qualifier, Asif demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the tournament, showcasing a masterclass of performances that carried him seamlessly through the qualifying rounds, main stages, and into the knockouts.
In the final showdown, Asif faced Iran’s Ali Gharegozloo in a best-of-nine frames match. The Pakistani cueist made a strong start, winning the opening frame 70-25.
Gharegozloo quickly equalized by taking the second frame 94-7, but Asif took back control, claiming the third frame with a score of 62-8. He continued his dominance in the fourth frame with an impressive 106 clearance break — his sixth century break of the tournament — which gave him a 3-1 lead.
Asif’s momentum carried him through the fifth frame, which he won 82-12, extending his lead to 4-1. While Gharegozloo briefly rallied by winning the sixth and seventh frames, Asif decisively closed out the match in the eighth frame with a powerful 93-point break, securing his 5-3 victory and the world title.
This championship win is Asif’s third individual world title, having previously won in 2012 and 2019. With five world titles in total, including two team titles, Asif has now established himself as Pakistan’s most decorated snooker player.
