Asif clinches SAARC Snooker Championship title

KARACHI: Muhammad Asif of Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka’s Thaha Irshath in the final of the third SAARC Snooker Championship on Friday, securing a dominant 5-0 victory without dropping a single frame.

The final, held at the Moors Snooker Club in Colombo, saw Asif establish his dominance with frame scores of 99(67)-3, 73-46, 85-38, 109(50)-6, and 74(67)-0. The 42-year-old, who hails from Faisalabad, recorded two breaks over 50, including a top break of 67 in the first and fifth frames.

“I’m proud to win this title without losing a frame,” Asif said. “This victory is dedicated to my family and the people of Pakistan who always support me.” Asif, a three-time world champion with IBSF World Snooker titles in 2012, 2019, and 2024, added another significant achievement to his career. The SAARC Snooker Championship win marks his eighth individual title, he also has three team titles to his name.

He also became the second Pakistani player to win the SAARC Snooker Championship. The first edition of the event, held in 2019, was won by Asjad Iqbal of Pakistan. The championship featured 14 players from across South Asia, making Asif’s unbeaten performance a standout achievement. His win reinforces Pakistan’s strong reputation in amateur snooker and cements Asif’s status as the top players in the region.