Muhammad Asif wins third SAARC snooker championship

Pakistan’s world amateur snooker champion, Muhammad Asif, delivered an impeccable performance to claim the title at the third SAARC Snooker Championship in Colombo on Friday.

Asif defeated Sri Lanka’s Thaha Irshath 5-0 in the final, winning every frame of the match. The final, held at the Moors Snooker Club in Colombo, saw Asif display exceptional cue control and skill, as he won the frames with scores of 99-3, 73-46, 85-38, 109-6, and 74-0.

The champion registered three breaks of 50 or more during the best-of-9 final, with a top break of 67 in both the opening and closing frames to seal his dominant win.

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

After the match, Asif expressed his pride, saying, “Winning this title is a moment of great pride for me and Pakistan.”

Asif’s achievement was widely celebrated, with both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif offering their congratulations.

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

Prime Minister Shehbaz also lauded Asif, saying, “Muhammad Asif won an important snooker championship and brought the country’s name to the limelight in the whole world. The whole nation is proud of you,” and wished him continued success.”

Asif’s victory in Colombo makes him the second Pakistani to win the SAARC Snooker Championship. The inaugural event in 2019 was won by Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal.