Snooker Champion Asif Urges PM to Release Pending Prize Money

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan’s three-time World Snooker Champion, Muhammad Asif, has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the release of the remaining portion of his prize money for his historic victory in the 2024 IBSF World Snooker Championship.

Asif, who recently met with the Prime Minister, acknowledged receiving Rs 2.5 million for his triumph in the SAARC Snooker Championship. However, he is still awaiting the promised financial reward for securing the World Snooker title.

“I am grateful for the prize money awarded for the SAARC Championship, but I am still waiting for the amount promised for my World Snooker Championship victory in 2024,” Asif stated. “I have requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure its release.”

The Faisalabad-born cueist made history by clinching his third world title after defeating Iran’s Asian champion, Ali Ghareghozlou, 5-3 in a thrilling final held in Qatar.

His stellar performance, which included six-century breaks, placed him among the sport’s elite, tying him with India’s Pankaj Advani, who has also won the championship three times.

Asif, 42, hopes his achievements will help elevate snooker’s status in Pakistan. He emphasized the need for greater governmental support, particularly in securing employment opportunities for cueists.

“If snooker players are given stable jobs, they will deliver even better results for the country,” he added.

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Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Test of the two-match series against defending champions South Africa, marking the start of their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Captain Shan Masood said Pakistan aim to make full use of home conditions, while South Africa skipper Aiden Markram expressed confidence in his team’s preparations, noting that his players are accustomed to similar subcontinental conditions.

For the series opener, Pakistan have included spinners Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali in their playing XI, while South Africa have opted for a three-spinner strategy to counter Pakistan’s spin-friendly tracks.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan.

South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Senuran Muthusamy, Kyle Verreynne, Prenelan Subrayen, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.

The first Test will be played from October 12 to 16 in Lahore, while the second Test is scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.