Pakistan’s ace cueist Muhammad Asif has secured his third IBSF World Snooker Championship title by defeating Iran’s Ali Gharahgozlou in the tournament’s final. With this victory, 42-year-old Asif matches India’s Pankaj Advani’s record of three individual world titles, further cementing his legacy as Pakistan’s most decorated cueist.
Entering the championship as a wildcard qualifier nominated by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Asif progressed from the qualification rounds with remarkable form, delivering masterclass performances in the main and knockout stages.
The final, held as a best-of-nine frames match, saw Asif dominate early, winning the first frame 70-25. Though Gharahgozlou evened the score by taking the second frame 94-7, Asif swiftly regained control. He won the third frame 62-8 and achieved a flawless 106 clearance break in the fourth, marking his sixth century break of the tournament and putting him ahead 3-1. Asif continued his momentum in the fifth frame, securing an 82-12 win.
Gharahgozlou showed resilience by taking the sixth and seventh frames, yet Asif delivered a decisive 93-point break in the eighth frame to clinch the title with a 5-3 victory. This win not only adds a third individual world title to Asif’s career (following his victories in 2012 and 2019) but also brings his total world titles to five, including two team titles.
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