This undated image exhibits Pakistan cueist Hasnain Akhtar that includes within the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship on the Crowne Plaza Bahrain in Manama. — Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan’s rising snooker star Hasnain Akhtar clinched the title on the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship with a dominant show within the ultimate, defeating Wales’ Riley Powell in a one-sided encounter on Friday.
Hasnain outclassed his Welsh opponent with a straight-frames victory, securing the ultimate 4-0. The 16-year-old Pakistani cueist produced body scores of 86-7, 73-35, 50-31 and 98-4, showcasing his class and composure on the worldwide stage.
The match, officiated by Bahrain’s Nadhem Ahmed, noticed Hasnain ship two notable breaks of 44 and 67 within the first and fourth frames respectively, underlining his management all through the match.
Powell struggled to make an influence, with Hasnain by no means permitting him to settle into rhythm.
With this victory, Muhammad Hasnain has change into the primary Pakistani participant to win the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship. He provides this title to his rising checklist of accolades, having additionally received the Asian U21 Championship earlier this 12 months.
That is Pakistan’s first IBSF title within the U17 age group because the international physique restructured its junior classes in 2023, changing the Below-18 championship into the present U17 format. The final comparable triumph got here in 2017 when Naseem Akhtar, one other rising star from Pakistan, received the IBSF World Below-18 Championship.
Hasnain’s triumph provides to Pakistan’s rising prominence within the international snooker enviornment and provides hope for a brighter future for cue sports activities within the nation.
