Dramatic 3–2 victory in Muscat marks major milestone for Pakistan snooker.

President Zardari Congratulates Pakistan’s Snooker Team on World Cup Victory

President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated Pakistan’s national snooker team after it secured the 2025 Oman World Cup Team Snooker Championship, defeating Hong Kong 3–2 in a tense final in Muscat.

In an official message, the president praised cueists Mohammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal for their exceptional skill, discipline, and professionalism. He highlighted their resilience during decisive stages of the tournament, noting that their dedication had “brought honour to the country” and elevated Pakistan’s standing in global cue sports.

President Zardari also expressed prayers for their continued success and voiced hope that the newly-crowned champions would continue winning international titles.

Pakistan Triumphs After Nail-Biting Final

The championship match went down to the deciding fifth frame, where Pakistan held its nerve to edge Hong Kong 3–2. The partnership of former world champion and reigning Masters champion Mohammad Asif alongside seasoned cueist Asjad Iqbal remained consistent throughout the tournament.

Their path to the final included a commanding 3–1 win over arch-rivals India in the semi-final, which boosted their momentum heading into the championship match.

In the other semi-final, Hong Kong’s Chau Hon Man and Nansen Wan defeated Hong Kong China-1 by 3–2 to book their spot in the final.

Widespread Praise from Sporting Leadership

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the team, stating that the cueists had once again raised the national flag through their performance. He credited both players and the coaching staff for maintaining a clinical approach under pressure.

Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) Chairman Alamgir Shaikh termed the championship win a “significant milestone” for the sport in Pakistan, noting that such achievements encourage youth participation and strengthen Pakistan’s presence in international cue sports.

WHY THIS VICTORY MATTERS

• Boost to Pakistan’s global sports profile beyond cricket-dominated narratives.
• Strengthens Pakistan’s standing in world snooker, where the country is already known for producing world champions.
• Encourages investment in cue sports, often overlooked despite consistent achievements.
• Inspires young players, proving Pakistan can excel in diverse global sporting arenas.

Pakistan’s latest snooker triumph highlights the nation’s longstanding technical expertise in cue sports. While cricket often overshadows other sports, victories like this reveal the depth of Pakistan’s sporting talent.

However, challenges remain:

• Snooker players often lack institutional funding.
• International exposure depends heavily on private sponsorship.
• Infrastructure for cue sports requires long-term planning and investment.

This win offers a timely reminder for policymakers to prioritise diversified sports development and leverage Pakistan’s proven strengths.