‘Special moment’: Asif achieves rare feat at National Snooker

KARACHI: Pakistan’s snooker ace Mohammad Asif made history on Saturday by recording a rare 147 break during the National Snooker Championship match against Ali Raza.

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

“This is a special moment for me and I thank everyone who’ve supported me throughout my career,” said Asif after the feat.

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

The milestone places him alongside the likes of Saleh Muhammad, who recorded a 147 at the 2008 Asian Championship, Muhammad Sajjad, who achieved it during the 2021 National Championship, and Ahsan Ramzan, who achieved the maximum break at the 2022 World U21 Championship.

Asif won the match 4-2 with frames score of 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 accomplishment at the highest levels of professional snooker.

It requires perfect shot-making, tactical skill, and strong nerves, making it the ultimate benchmark of excellence in the sport.

Asif, a three-time IBSF World Snooker Champion (2012, 2019, 2024), has been a stalwart of Pakistan 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 cemented his legacy as one of the country’s finest snooker players, and by winning the IBSF World Championship last year, Asif confirmed his dominance as one of the greatest amateur snooker players in the world.