Pakistan's Mohammad Asif Clinches 3rd SAARC Snooker Championship Title

Pakistan's Mohammad Asif Clinches 3rd SAARC Snooker Championship Title

Pakistan's renowned cueist, Mohammad Asif, triumphed at the 3rd SAARC Snooker Championship held in Colombo on January 10, 2025, defeating Sri Lanka’s Thaha Irshath in a dominant 5-0 victory. Asif, the world amateur snooker champion, displayed impeccable skill throughout the final, claiming the title without dropping a single frame.

The final, which took place at the Moors Snooker Club in Colombo, saw Asif's brilliance in cue control and break-making. His frame scores were as follows: 99-3, 73-46, 85-38, 109-6, and 74-0. Asif made three breaks of 50 or more, including a highest break of 67 in both the opening and closing frames, which sealed his win.

This victory marks Asif’s eighth career title, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most accomplished amateur snooker players in the region.

After the match, Asif expressed his pride in winning the title for himself and Pakistan. He received congratulations from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, both of whom praised his performance in the championship.

“Muhammad Asif brought laurels to Pakistan in the game of snooker. I pray for Muhammad Asif’s success in the future as well,” said President Zardari.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated Asif, highlighting his achievement in bringing global recognition to Pakistan. “The whole nation is proud of you,” said the Prime Minister.

Asif’s victory in Colombo also makes him the second Pakistani to win the prestigious SAARC Snooker Championship, following in the footsteps of Asjad Iqbal, who won the first edition in 2019.

This triumph adds to Asif’s already illustrious career, which includes three IBSF World Snooker Championship titles, won in 2012, 2019, and 2024.