Pakistan has a rich history in snooker, with many players making their mark on the international stage. Muhammad Yousuf’s triumph in the 1994 World Snooker Championship remains a landmark achievement, followed by his 1998 victory at the ACBS Asian Snooker Championship and his IBSF World Masters Championship win in 2006. Yousuf laid the foundation for future generations of Pakistani snooker players.

The Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Federation (PBSF) continues to develop and promote the sport across the nation.

Established in 1958, the PBSF has played a pivotal role in nurturing the game, which originated in the late 19th century in British Army officers’ messes in India.

Snooker has since become a popular sport in Pakistan, with clubs thriving across the country, despite challenges in securing consistent sponsorship and media attention.

International successes:

Pakistan’s snooker players have consistently brought glory to the nation on the international stage. One of the most notable recent achievements came from Shahram Changezi, who made history by recording a 147 break in American Snooker - a first in the United States. This remarkable feat occurred during a practice match before the Embassy Open, where Changezi dominated former Pakistani cueist Farhan Idrees. Changezi, a member of Pakistan’s bronze-winning team at the 2010 Asian Games, has also secured several medals in both the Asian and World Championships. He also won the Texas Open Snooker Championship last year.

Despite Pakistan’s players excelling, brands and corporate sponsors have largely overlooked the sport, focusing their attention on just a few other sports like cricket. This lack of financial support has hindered snooker’s growth, even after so many successes at international level.

At its peak, Pakistan dominated global cue sports, with Yousuf’s 1998 Asian Championship win and Shoukat Ali’s gold medal at the Bangkok Asian Games standing out as major victories.

The curious decline of snooker support:

While Pakistan’s snooker players continued to shine, brand involvement and media attention dwindled. In other sports, such as squash and hockey, a decline in performance led to a corresponding decrease in sponsorship and attention. However, snooker has faced a unique challenge. Despite consistent international successes, the sport has not garnered the attention it deserves.

Saleh Mohammad’s runner-up finish in the 2003 IBSF World Snooker Championship and the bronze medals won by Mohammad and Naveen Perwani at the 1998 Asian Games are examples of snooker’s strength in Pakistan, yet corporate backing has been lacking. As a result, snooker is now struggling for recognition and sponsorship in the country.

A call for sponsorship and support:

Sponsorship and government support are essential for snooker in Pakistan. If influential figures like Ali Asghar Valika - a key contributor to the sport’s past success - could take personal interest in rejuvenating snooker, it could lead to a much-needed revival. The potential is there. Without the necessary support, the sport risks fading into obscurity.

Muhammad Asif:

Muhammad Asif has carried forward the legacy of Muhammad Yousuf, emerging as one of Pakistan’s most decorated snooker players. Asif won his first IBSF World Snooker Championship in 2012 and followed it up with another win in 2019, defeating Jeffrey Roda of the Philippines 8-5 in Antalya, Turkey.

His return to Pakistan was met with a hero’s welcome, and he secured a two-year card on the World Snooker Tour by qualifying through the Asia-Oceania 2022 Q School.

Recently, Asjad Iqbal clinched the silver medal in the 2024 IBSF World 6-Red Snooker Championship. Though Iqbal lost to India’s Kamal Chawla in a tightly contested final, his performance further cemented Pakistan’s place in international snooker.

What the prospects are:

Despite the challenges, snooker remains one of the few bright spots in Pakistan’s sports landscape. While the overall quality of sports in the country has declined over the past decade, snooker has seen a steady influx of new talent.

However, to secure a sustainable future for snooker, financial support from sponsors and the government is crucial. If financial incentive is there, Pakistan can continue to produce players who can bring home laurels.