Pakistan's Hasnain crowned IBSF U17 Snooker world champion

KARACHI: Pakistani snooker talent Hasnain Akhtar has etched his name in history on Friday after clinching the prestigious International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World U17 Snooker Championship with a dominant 4-0 victory over Wales' Riley Powell in a one-sided final.

Hasnain outplayed Powell in straight frames, securing the title with individual frame scores of 86-7, 73-35, 50-31 and 98-4. From the outset, the 16-year-old Pakistani cueist demonstrated his class and composure on the global stage.

The final, initiated by Bahrain's Nadhem Ahmed, saw Hasnain deliver two impressive breaks. He opened his account with a notable 44 break in the first frame, setting the tone for a thrilling match.

He then capped off his championship-winning performance with a spectacular 67 break in the fourth and final frame, underlining his control throughout the match.

Powell struggled to make an impact, with Hasnain never allowing him to settle into rhythm.

With this victory, Muhammad Hasnain has become the first Pakistani player to win the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship. He adds this title to his growing list of accolades, having also won the Asian U21 Championship earlier this year.

This is Pakistan's first IBSF title in the U17 age group since the global body restructured its junior categories in 2023, converting the Under-18 championship into the current U17 format. The last comparable triumph came in 2017 when Naseem Akhtar, another rising star from Pakistan, won the IBSF World Under-18 Championship.

Hasnain’s triumph adds to Pakistan’s growing prominence in the global snooker arena and offers hope for a brighter future for cue sports in the country.