Muhammad Asif wins fifth National Snooker Championship title

KARACHI: Pakistan's seasoned cueist, Muhammad Asif, added another feather to his cap as he won the 50th National Snooker Championship by defeating Punjab's Rana Irfan in the final here at the National Bank Sports Complex on Wednesday.

The summit clash, comprised of 11 frames, saw Irfan register two century breaks, including a 141-point run in the seventh frame, which was the highest break of the tournament, but Asif made his experience count and prevailed in the enthralling fixture.

Overall, Asif registered eight century breaks in the recently concluded tournament, while it was his fifth title victory at the national level.

At the closing ceremony of the 50th National Snooker Championship, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Rehmat Hasni and Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) Presidents Abdul Qadir Memon and Alamgir Sheikh distributed prizes worth Rs1.6 million.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Asif, who won several laurels and titles for Pakistan at the international level, expressed his disappointment over the lack of recognition, while also revealing that he had yet to receive the full prize money announced.

"It is disappointing when a player wins a title in any sport; their performance should be appreciated. If the players are not motivated, then this is a moment of reflection," Asif told the media after the tournament.

"Players should be taken care of and kept happy," he added.