Cueist Asif qualifies for next round of Master World Snooker Championship

Islamabad: Pakistani cueist Muhammad Asif on Thursday qualified for the knockout round of IBSF Master World Snooker Championship 2024 at Doha, Qatar.

Asif beat Rajat Khaneja of India by 3-0 (117(66)-16, 73-15, 118(105)-6) and Steve Hanna of Australia by 3-0 (104(69)-33, 105-0(65), 72-30), respectively.

The knockout round of the championship will kick off on Friday.

A day earlier, Asif won the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2024 in Doha. He has secured the title for the third time as he won the championship in 2012 and 2019, equalling the record of India cueist.

Asif outclassed Iranian player Ali Ghargozu by 5-3 in the best of 9 frames in the final round of the championship.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Muhammad Asif for winning the championship.

In his felicitation message, the prime minister said Muhammad Asif made the entire nation proud by winning the international championship for the third time. He said the family and coach of Muhammad Asif also deserve congratulations for this victory.

Shehbaz Sharif said Muhammad Asif deserves appreciation for working day and night to win the world championship. He said the talented youth of Pakistan are highlighting the country's name in the fields of sports.