In a display of extraordinary skills, Pakistan’s snooker maestro Muhammad Asif won the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship 2025, defeating India’s Brijesh Damani in a testy final with a score line of 4-3 while highly talented Hasnain Akhtar clinched trophy in the U17 championship.
The much-anticipated Pakistan vs India final turned out to be a high-voltage contest, with both cueists going frame-for-frame in a battle of nerves.
Asif started strongly, taking a 2-frame lead, but Damani made an impressive comeback, winning the next three frames in a row.
Refusing to give up, the Pakistani Snooker King equalized at 3-3 and clinched the decisive final frame in dominant style.
Final Scores read 98-37, 75-55, 00-80, 49-52, 41-64, 91-29 and 78-9.
This victory marks Muhammad Asif’s sixth career world title, adding to his earlier achievements which include three IBSF Individual World Championships (2012 in Bulgaria, 2019 in Turkey, 2025 in Bahrain, two IBSF World Team Championships and SAARC Snooker Championship (2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he beat an Indian opponent 5-0.
In the youth event, 17-year-old Hasnain Akhtar made his mark, claiming the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship title with a sweeping 4-0 success against Wales’ Riley Powell in the final.
Asif had also made headlines in 2023 when he qualified for the World Professional Snooker Tour and defeated seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry, gaining widespread international recognition.
A delighted Asif said in his post-match comments that “there’s always immense pressure when facing India in a final. I knew I couldn’t afford to lose. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful to have won my sixth world title and proud to dedicate another trophy to Pakistan.”
His focus now shifts to winning the IBSF World Six Red Championship, promising an even stronger performance.
Asif also expressed hope in the younger generation of Pakistani snooker players, particularly the U21 category, saying,
“When given the opportunity, our players deliver. I believe the future of Pakistani snooker is in safe hands.”
The snooker ace has earned widespread praise, with Prime Minister, President of Pakistan, Chairman of the Pakistan Sports Board, and Chairman PCB extending their heartfelt congratulations.
Muhammad Asif’s journey continues to inspire a generation of athletes, proving yet again that with talent, perseverance, and passion, global glory is within reach.
