Defending Champion Muhammad Asif to Lead Pakistan’s Squad at IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025
Oct 28, 2025
Pakistan’s celebrated cueist Muhammad Asif is set to return to Doha this November to defend his title at the 2025 IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship, as the nation prepares for another major international campaign.
The Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) has confirmed that the three-time world champion will headline Pakistan’s squad for this year’s prestigious event.
Asif — one of Pakistan’s most successful snooker players — first claimed the world title in 2012, won it again in 2019, and captured his third crown in 2024, also in Doha, after defeating Iran’s Ali Ghareghouzloo in a thrilling final. He now returns to the same venue, aiming for an unprecedented fourth world title.
Currently the reigning World Masters (40+) champion, Asif will begin directly from Stage II of the tournament (November 8–13), joining the top-seeded field that includes defending and regional champions.
Pakistan’s five-member squad for the 2025 IBSF World Snooker Championship features:
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Muhammad Asif – Defending World Champion
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Asjad Iqbal – Qualified based on his strong performance in last year’s tournament
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Muhammad Hasnain Akhtar – Current World U-17 Champion, among the youngest competitors this year
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Shahid Aftab – Former National Champion
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Muhammad Sajjad – Former National Champion
To ensure the players are in top form, PBSA has organized a training camp at the Jahangir Khan Sports Complex in Karachi, helping the team fine-tune their skills and prepare for international conditions.
The IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2025 promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years. The event will unfold in two stages: Stage I (November 3–6) will determine 16 qualifiers, followed by Stage II (November 8–13) featuring top-ranked cueists battling for the world crown.
With Muhammad Asif once again leading from the front, Pakistan’s snooker fans are optimistic that the national flag will shine brightly in Doha, as the champion looks to make history with a potential fourth world title.
