Asif claims IBSF World Snooker Championship title

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

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Mohammad Asif. -File photo

KARACHI: Pakistan's Mohammad Asif defeated England's Gary Wilson in the final to win the IBSF World Snooker Championship on Sunday in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Asif, who was unbeaten in the tournament, defeated Wilson 10-8.

In a best of nineteen frames match, Asif was leading through most of the final and was 6-3 up at the break. Pakistan's number one cueist started off well reaching 3-1 but later made mistakes which Wilson took advantage of to win the the fifth and the sixth frames to level the scores at 3-3.

Wilson made a comeback after the break, levelling the scores at 8-8. At this point in the match, Asif demonstrated brilliant cue control to win the seventeenth and eighteenth frame to clinch the title.

President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association, Alamgir Sheikh, termed the victory a turning point for snooker in Pakistan.

"Asif worked very hard to win this and it is a very big victory, a turning point for the sport in Pakistan. I hope the government takes notice and supports these boys," Sheikh said while speaking to Dawn.com.

Asif was the third Pakistani to reach the final of the world event and the second one to win it. Before him, Mohammad Yousuf won it in 1994 while, in 2003, Saleh Mohammad was defeated by Pankaj Advani of India.

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peacelover

Dec 03, 2012 01:07am

Congrats Asif! Great job. Notice not a single Indian comment on this news. If it was a negative news related to Pakistan, there would be hundreds of Indian comments ridiculing Pakistan and thousands thumbs up of for it.

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Zeta

Dec 03, 2012 07:48am

Proud of you mate. Congrats and well done

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Pakistanian

Dec 03, 2012 09:36am

As proud as I am with his victory. The narrative of the report is misleading due to the fact that it was an Amateur event and not World Championsh Snooker (which btw Rony Won).

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Jumma

Dec 03, 2012 09:51am

HE was not supported by any pakistani sports body

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Kumar

Dec 02, 2012 08:58pm

congrats dude....awesome

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Qaiser Hussain

Dec 02, 2012 08:47pm

you are probing the wrong site,please look in www.ibsf.info .ASIF has won from 100 players from 46 countries including INDIA.

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8Ball

Dec 03, 2012 03:38pm

Please keep your uninformed comments to yourself and stop taking away from Asif's achievement. The report clearly states that Asif won the IBSF World Snooker Championship and that is what the event is officially called (http://www.ibsf.info/about.shtml). This was an amateur tournament and the World Snooker Championship is the pro event. They are two different things. Going pro is the next step for Asif. Do your homework before pouring water over Asif's performance with your confusing comments. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association recognises Asif's win (http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~2999042,00.html) What the hell are you trying to say anyways?

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Numair

Dec 02, 2012 08:18pm

Because IBSF World Snooker Championship is an amateur event and not the professional/real one.

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khurram

Dec 02, 2012 08:12pm

Ab government ko chahiyay k is bay charay ko koi achi job day day .... kiyun k yeh world champ Faisal abad main apna snooker club chala ker guzara kerta hay .... pls pls pls support him by giving him any good job.... her kuttay billay ko is mulk main job milti hay ma siwayay un ko jin ko milni chahiyay ............. 2000 k baad mulk na naam rosha kernay wala snooker ka bohat bara player hay asif... may Allah bless him ..

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haris

Dec 03, 2012 02:52pm

@HJ: not just by betting but smuggling and consuming Drugs were two most glorious achievements by our pacemaker.

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Ather

Dec 03, 2012 03:02pm

Asif, you are my hero! You are the true Pakistani who deserves commendation from the entire country. Thankyou Asif and Allah Bless You!

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haris

Dec 03, 2012 02:56pm

Many Congratulations to M. Asif Next target would be "World Professional Snooker Championship"

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Aizaz Ali

Dec 03, 2012 03:30pm

Very nice ASIF (Y) PAkistan government should support Snooker. You are the person who brought any TROPHY after a long time in pakistan. We have lost hope from CRICKET We have lost hope from Hockey , and other games.. But u brough WORLD CUP OF SNOOKER IN PAKISTAN Salute to You and thank you for your effort.

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Shahid Latif

Dec 03, 2012 05:23pm

A very good news. You make us all proud. Well done.

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Jamshed Khan

Dec 03, 2012 04:48pm

Well done. Never new Pakistan had a talent in snooker.

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Amal

Dec 03, 2012 04:58pm

Congratulations Asif for winning amateur snooker championship. Atlast another Asian apart from Geet Sethi and Pankaj Advani in this sport making their name...

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Mehmood

Dec 04, 2012 08:24am

well done....keep it up

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Mansoor

Dec 03, 2012 11:38am

He is not the World Snooker Champion, check with your sports desk before posting such news - Genius !

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FabiaNo Faris

Dec 03, 2012 04:15pm

You're hero in pakistan Asif ,

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SHABANA IRFAN.

Dec 03, 2012 04:14pm

I AM PROUD OF YOU AND NEXT TIME GOOD LUCK

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Atif

Dec 03, 2012 12:29pm

@peacelover, @MBA I agree both of you.. because you both are correct..

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Shahid Awan

Dec 03, 2012 02:38am

Where are all our Valued Indian readers. No comment from them.

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Imran

Dec 04, 2012 12:57am

Now the "World Snooker Association" will ask for Asif's dope test or conduct sting operation for betting.

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Hiz

Dec 03, 2012 11:20am

Correction: this is NOT world championship match. Asif did beat current world champion Gary Wilson of Britain, but Wilson is the current world champion. The match in Sofia was NOT a world championship match. The only world championship matches held annually are in UK in May. So the match/series in Sofia, Bulgaria are not world title. Dawn should do their home work first.

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Ahmed

Dec 03, 2012 05:07am

Con grates to Pakistan and Muhammad Asif, he really did amazing job n made Pakistanis to proud on him and real curse on the Pakistan Sports Board and Govt of Pakistan for ot supporting such a talent....................

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hamid Shafiq

Dec 03, 2012 10:33am

i hope once our country old glory come back when four games chamion is pakistan and inwhich one of them is snooker.welldone M.Asif. longlive pakistan

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Ahmed

Dec 03, 2012 04:45am

One good news after so many bad news. It is time to celebrate this victory for a man which comes from a country where there are very few good news.

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Dec 03, 2012 10:17am

See what one Mohammad Asif can do to bring cheers to millions of pakistani and raise pak flag in the world, and see what the other Mohammad Asif did to bring shame by betting in cricket

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Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan

Dec 03, 2012 10:15am

Since Mohammed Asif was denied funds by Pakistan Sports Board and his participation in the championship was only made possible due to the efforts of PSBA , the officials of the Pakistan Sports Board should not only be forced out of their offices but also be tried in court for discouraging the young pakistani talent.

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shafiq

Dec 03, 2012 12:53pm

whole Pakistan is proud of you Asif.Thanks for making us Proud

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Shahid Lakhani

Dec 03, 2012 09:58am

Very well done. Allah SWT guide him to more victories.

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Nina

Dec 03, 2012 10:01am

They are only interested in bashing Pakistan, nothing else. So you won't see them here.

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Jumma

Dec 03, 2012 09:53am

It's figurative speech my man. It does not mean making all the worlf your slave. It means winning and being on top of the world in specific field or fields

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Noman Aziz

Dec 03, 2012 09:16am

Well done Asif & Congratulations to Pakistan.

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Ajamal

Dec 03, 2012 08:55am

Thanks and wish many more victories for the players from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, ........................................................

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MBA

Dec 03, 2012 08:16am

Why should we think about negative instances while we have an opportunity to be Happy?! Don

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MBA

Dec 03, 2012 08:10am

Probably we should start by ruling Pakistan well. Let the world take care of itself. In the first place I want to congratulate Asif for the victory.

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Proud Pakistani

Dec 03, 2012 07:58am

MashaAllah Mohammad Asif u have given nation a moment to proud of.. indeed it was your hardworking and fantastic talent. May Allah Bless u success and bestow others Pakistani's the abilities and skills to streer the vessel of Nation to greener pasture and glory. Pakistani and Proud Again!

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Cynical

Dec 03, 2012 06:40am

Why is the need to rule anybody, let alone the world? Would you like to be ruled? If not, then why do you assume anybody would accept you ruling them?

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skeptic

Dec 03, 2012 06:26am

God bless you champ for bringing pride to our country.

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Seriously!

Dec 03, 2012 06:06am

Well done! Nest Target is to get into the Professional Snooker! For all the Businesses out there....please come forward and sponsor these guys.....

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salman

Dec 03, 2012 05:55am

Pakistan Zindabad, now we are world champion in any sort of sports.

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eskay

Dec 03, 2012 05:54am

What a wonderful news. Mohammad Asif, you are the torch bearer for a fresh and successful era of Pakistan. May we as a nation bring back the glory of our beloved country, Inshallah. Allah (swt) is great.

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rashid

Dec 03, 2012 05:46am

well done. there are many mohammad asifs in pakistan who will bring fame not shame to pakistans name. once again congrats and may allah bless you. rashid.

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Faraz

Dec 03, 2012 05:32am

The final was streamed live on IBSF website.

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Ali G

Dec 03, 2012 05:27am

Superb performance...its high time the government give some attention to this sport and its promotion in the country...Congratulations Asif!!!

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hasan khalid

Dec 03, 2012 05:24am

Congrats Asif and to his family.

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Jaweed Niaz

Dec 02, 2012 05:43pm

Very good news. Hope Snooker is encouraged and we continue to win.

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butseriouslyok

Dec 04, 2012 04:21pm

We Indian would let you have your moment of glory in winning the "amateur" snooker championship...a few Indians have won this trophy too but it is 'amateur' and not 'professional'. Indians have nothing against your sports/art/science personalities .it is your dirty terror games that annoys us.

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Xfar

Dec 03, 2012 07:33am

this is what a Pakistani a can do if supported

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Jehanzeb Idrees

Dec 03, 2012 03:44am

Well done!

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Abdul Rehman

Dec 03, 2012 03:48am

Pakistanis are very talented in all fields but unfortunately we are lacking in leadership otherwise we would have ruled the world

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Beg

Dec 02, 2012 10:35pm

Zara num ho to ye matti bari zarkhaiz hai saqi

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india love

Dec 03, 2012 01:42am

Congratulations :)

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Jibran

Dec 02, 2012 07:18pm

Moeen, English is definitely not your first language. Using the word claim in victory is very common. Check out some of the news from NFL, NBA, NHL and you'll realize that clinch, claim, win, victory are all commonly used words.

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Ken

Dec 02, 2012 07:37pm

Asif certainly won the IBSF World Snooker Championship, (also known as the World Amateur Snooker Championship) is the premier non-professional snooker tournament in the world. A job well done! Now next stage is to play The World Professional Snooker Championship (leading professional snooker tournament in terms of both prize money and ranking points.) and defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan and claim GBP 1.1 Million pounds winning prize).

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nust

Dec 02, 2012 05:35pm

#thefeelingofprideatitszenith!!!

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Moeen@iiui

Dec 02, 2012 06:25pm

"claims"... or clinched ...asif won the world battle through much hard work and commitment but what i am getting from the title ...i think the authors tried to show that the title was self procalimed by the player...the title shows the summary of the story and if title used in such way then how you will motivate or mobilize the nation to stand and give the best out of them,...

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Farrukh Shahzad Mir

Dec 02, 2012 07:09pm

where have he won i couldn't find any information about him and the other player "gary willson" on internet and wikipedia except pakistani newspapers. not even on bbc snooker see the link here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/

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mian zahid mahmood

Dec 02, 2012 06:16pm

well done sir!!! may your tribe increase!!! may there be many more!!! keep it up!!!

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observer

Dec 03, 2012 02:54am

Inshallah this nation will bounce back and be like any other nation in the world.

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Taimur

Dec 03, 2012 09:33am

Thank God that the nation is actually concentrating on sports other than cricket

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Bilal

Dec 02, 2012 10:24pm

Hats off, Respect!

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Saud Musheer

Dec 02, 2012 06:13pm

This guy is a big deal for Pakistani cue sport, I hope he gets the kind of respect he deserve... Very well played Asif... I just loved your fearless attitude at the green baize... Many congratulations from an old Indian friend... :)

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Cricblogger

Dec 02, 2012 06:34pm

Alhamdo Lillah! This is fantastic news. The government needs to promote all sports in the country especially the ones where we are more likely to perform at the world stage, like this one.

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Dec 02, 2012 06:45pm

I think it shows that it was a close match...stop thinking negatively plz...

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Raheem

Dec 02, 2012 06:01pm

This just proves Pakistan has talented people, if only the government would show some support.

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roy142857

Dec 02, 2012 06:00pm

Congrats from the UK. Asif should receive an offer of a place on the Pro Snooker Tour - recent IBSF Champions have been - hope he takes it up.

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BILAL

Dec 02, 2012 05:55pm

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anees rafiq

Dec 02, 2012 05:54pm

Congratulations! well done you served the nation well. Now become a Legend and be positive and stay focused.

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mushtaq ahmad

Dec 02, 2012 05:54pm

what a performance!!!! excellent. keep it up

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Amjad Hussain Zahid

Dec 02, 2012 05:23pm

excellent Amjad hussain zahid fc college

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S. A. M.

Dec 02, 2012 05:42pm

Thank you for bringing good news for Pakistan. Hope the list of victories continue to grow.

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Anonymous

Dec 02, 2012 05:31pm

Mohammed Asif,,Many congratulations,,you are nation's pride.. :-)

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Moon

Dec 02, 2012 05:26pm

Congrats Asif

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Adnan Khan

Dec 02, 2012 05:21pm

great to see some much needed positive news......hope this win has a spill over effect and pull people into healthy activities!!!!

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Ali Vaqar Awan

Dec 02, 2012 05:33pm

Congradulations to Mohammad Asif for wining World Snooker Championship. His victory has made the day best for Pakistan. It has brought great deal of happiness. Pakistan Zindabad!!!

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Alex Shaikh

Dec 02, 2012 05:17pm

Well done!! Pakistan Zindabad!!

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dr.nida

Dec 02, 2012 05:45pm

defeated nation still wining by grace of our Rab....great job asif many congrats to you and nation.

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Bakka

Dec 03, 2012 05:15pm

Well done!!

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Atif Chowdhry

Dec 02, 2012 07:28pm

IBSF World Snooker Championship chaa gaya londay.. :D

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dararao

Dec 05, 2012 10:31am

The problem with people like Hiz is that they just want to criticize just for the sake of criticize. And even bigger problem is that they even dont do proper homework before pointing fingers on others. Sometimes intentionally sometimes unintentionally.

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abdullah

Dec 02, 2012 05:09pm

congratulation pakistan

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Awais

Dec 02, 2012 05:14pm

hidden garnets exposing now ... Congratulations

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Khalid Saeed Haroon

Dec 02, 2012 05:38pm

Well played Asif! You bring glory to Pakistan.

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Saad (DXB)

Dec 02, 2012 10:20pm

I am looking for comments from Indians who love bashing Pakistan on any negative news, but disappear like a ghost from any news story about anything good for Pakistan. This clearly shows their mentality. So much for people who think India can ever be a sincere friend to Pakistan.

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Siddiqui

Dec 03, 2012 01:49am

Well done asif you can go long way . Our media though is funny when it comes to reporting , they say world snooker championship without mentioning amateur snooker championship.any how congratulation to all paks.

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Mubashir

Dec 10, 2012 02:46pm

Well done boy!! We are all proud of you - a lesson to all our other boys that be encouraged by our Hero - we all can do it!! We should not be demotivated from the lack of resources....so lets work hard.

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Mubashir

Dec 10, 2012 02:47pm

Brother - lets stay positive. I know we have been suffering from this but an opportunity to show our sportsman spirit and tolerance.....

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