Pakistan’s veteran cueist, Muhammad Asif, added another prestigious title to his career by winning the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship in Bahrain. The 36-year-old defeated India’s Brijesh Damani in a thrilling 4-3 final to secure his sixth world title, marking his fourth individual world championship. This victory solidifies Asif’s position as one of the most accomplished snooker players in Pakistan’s history.
The final was a rollercoaster of emotions. Asif started strong, claiming the first two frames with precision. However, Damani mounted a comeback, winning the next three frames to take a 3-2 lead. Asif, known for his resilience, bounced back in the sixth frame, leveling the score at 3-3. In the decider, he outclassed his opponent, clinching the final frame 78-9 to win the championship.
In a post-match message, Muhammad Asif reflected on the psychological pressure of competing in a high-stakes Pakistan-India final. “Whenever there’s a Pakistan-India match, public expectations rise significantly. Winning and losing is part of the game, but nobody wants to lose this kind of match,” Asif said, acknowledging the mental toughness required for such contests.
Earlier in the tournament, Asif displayed his dominance in the semi-final, where he defeated Manan Chandra 4-2. He started strong with a 118-6 win in the first frame, and despite losing the next two, he regained control and won three consecutive frames to seal the victory.
Muhammad Asif expressed his hopes of extending his winning form in upcoming international events, including the Six-Red Masters Tournament. “Alhamdulillah, I’ve won my sixth world title. I’m happy to dedicate another title to Pakistan,” he added.
Asif’s triumph was complemented by the success of Hasnain Akhtar, another Pakistani cueist, who won the IBSF World U-17 Championship, defeating Poland’s Riley Powell 4-0. Hasnain’s victory, which marks the first time a Pakistani has won the U-17 world title, highlights the bright future of snooker in Pakistan.
With Muhammad Asif’s continued success and the emergence of young talent like Hasnain Akhtar, the future of snooker in Pakistan looks promising.
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