For the third time in his career, Pakistan’s top snooker player, Muhammad Asif, has claimed the IBSF World Snooker Championship title in Doha. Entering the tournament as a wild card qualifier, the 42-year-old demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, progressing through the qualifying, main, and knockout rounds to secure this prestigious victory.
In the final match, Asif faced Iran’s Ali Gharagozlo. Asif started strong, winning the first frame 70-25. Gharagozlo leveled the score by taking the second frame, but Asif quickly regained control. He won the third frame decisively with a score of 62-8 and extended his lead in the fourth frame with a remarkable century break of 106 points—his sixth of the tournament. Asif continued to dominate in the fifth frame, winning 82-12. Although Gharagozlo fought back, winning the sixth and seventh frames, Asif sealed his victory in the eighth frame with a break of 93 points.
This victory marks Asif’s third individual world title, placing him alongside India’s Pankaj Advani as one of the most celebrated players in the snooker world. With two team titles to his name, Asif is now Pakistan’s most accomplished cueist in history. Following his historic win, Javed Karim, President of the Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association, and Chairman Alamgir Sheikh both congratulated Asif, acknowledging his extraordinary contribution to Pakistani snooker.