DOHA: With an exciting 5-3 victory over Iranian Ali Gharahgozlou on Wednesday, Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif solidified his legacy in the game and won his third IBSF World Snooker Championship title.
Asif, who entered the competition by way of a wild card position provided by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), equaled India’s Pankaj Advani’s record of three titles, placing him in an elite group. With five international titles, he also rose to become the most successful cueist in the nation.
In the best-of-nine frame final, Asif got off to a great start, winning the opening frame 70-25 with a superb break of 40, setting the stage for his eventual triumph. However, Gharahgozlou won the second frame 87-7 after countering with a break of 84.
In the semi-final late Tuesday, Asif defeated Michel Geogriou of Cyprus 5-3. He recovered in the third set, winning 82-8 with a 56-break.
With a spectacular century break (106), his sixth of the tournament, the 42-year-old Asif then completed the fourth session 106-8, taking a 3-1 lead.
With a commanding 82-12 victory in the fifth frame, the Pakistani veteran increased his lead to 4-1.
Gharahgozlou took the sixth frame 91-43, refusing to give up. The Iranian mercilessly punishes Asif’s miss on red by recording a break of 58 to cut the deficit in half.
Gharahgozlou produced an incredible 118-break in the eighth frame to cut the deficit to 4-3.
To end the match, Asif, who took home the titles in 2012 and 2019, used his extensive expertise.
Asif took advantage of an early opportunity to demonstrate his skill in the pivotal eighth frame. He created a spectacular break of 93 with accurate and skillful potting, supported by eight blues and four backs.
After a three-hour contest, a small foul on the yellow was immaterial because the championship was already guaranteed.
With a joyful smile, Asif waved his hand at the audience, overcome with relied and pride.
He thanked his family, friends, and the Federation for their support during his quest in a video message.
Asif had a turbulent journey to the final. He defeated fellow countryman Asjad Iqbal to recover from his initial failure to qualify in Stage-I.
After demonstrating tenacity against reigning champion Ali Alobaidli and Ahmed Saif , Asif defeated Mohamed Shehab knockout stages.
Egypt’s Mahmoud El Hareedy and Geogriou shared the bronze medal. El Hareedy became the first African to win a medal. Geogriou’s 136-point break earned him the highest break prize as well.
