Pakistan’s Hasnain Akhtar clinches IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship title

Pakistan’s Hasnain Akhtar triumphed over Wales’ Riley Powell in the final of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) World U17 Snooker Championship, held in Manama, Bahrain, on Friday.

Akhtar delivered a dominant performance, defeating Powell 4-0 to secure the title.

A day earlier, Akhtar secured his place in the U17 final after defeating Poland’s Oliwier Nizialek 4-1 in the semi-final, with frame scores of 76(41,34)-1, 69-8, 88(46,42)-0, and 62-37. In the pre-quarterfinals, he beat Oman’s Mutasim Al Saadi 3-0 (75-41, 56(37)-31, 81-6).

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif is competing in the final of the IBSF World Masters Snooker Championship 2025 against India’s Brijesh Damani.

Asif, a former world amateur champion, reached the final after a hard-fought 4-2 victory over India’s Manan Chandra in the semi-finals on Thursday at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain. The frame scores were 118-6, 0-84, 25-76, 92-11, 87-62, and 72-41.

Earlier on Thursday, Asif advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Bahrain’s Habib Sabah 4-0 with frame scores of 68(68)-8, 57-37, 68(68)-8, and 40(40)-8. In the pre-quarterfinals, he overcame UAE’s Mohamed Shehab 4-2 with scores of 56-68, 21-72, 57-21, 80(80)-0, 68-45(43), and 68-58.

The championship featured 43 players from 15 countries, divided into 11 groups. The top two players from each group progressed to the last-22 knockout round.