Asif makes snooker history with rare 147 break against Ali Raza

KARACHI: Pakistan's snooker star Mohammad Asif etched his name into the annals of history on Saturday with an extraordinary achievement—recording a rare 147 break during his National Snooker Championship match against Ali Raza.

A 147 break, considered the pinnacle of snooker scoring, involves potting all 15 reds with 15 blacks, followed by potting all six colors, all in a single visit to the table.

At 42 years old, Asif became only the second player in the history of Pakistan’s National Snooker Championship to achieve this feat and the fourth Pakistani overall.

He joins the ranks of notable Pakistani snooker players like Saleh Muhammad, who made a 147 at the 2008 Asian Championship, Muhammad Sajjad, who achieved the milestone during the 2021 National Championship and Ahsan Ramzan, who registered a 147 at the 2022 World U21 Championship.

“This is a special moment for me, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career,” Asif said after his remarkable achievement.

Asif emerged victorious in the match with a 4-2 win over Ali Raza, with the following frame scores: 1-0, 54-21, 98(98)-0, 147(147)-0, 17-90(89), and 87-16.

The 147 break, also known as a maximum break, is a rare and prestigious accomplishment in professional snooker. 

It demands perfect shot-making, precise tactical skills, and nerves of steel, marking it as the ultimate benchmark of excellence in the sport.

Asif, a three-time IBSF World Snooker Champion (2012, 2019, 2024), has been a stalwart of Pakistani snooker for over two decades.

Born in Faisalabad, he has represented Pakistan in numerous international events, earning widespread recognition for his consistency and composure.

His 2012 triumph made him the second Pakistani to win the IBSF World Championship, his 2019 victory solidified his legacy as one of the country’s finest snooker players, and his 2024 win reaffirmed his dominance as one of the greatest amateur snooker players in the world.