Pakistan Announces Squad for Asian Men’s and Under-21 Snooker Championships
The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has announced a four-member team to represent the nation at the upcoming Asian men’s and Men’s Under-21 Snooker Championships, scheduled to take place in Doha from January 31st to February 6th. The announcement, made on Saturday, signals Pakistan’s commitment to competitive snooker on the continental stage.
Leading the senior men’s challenge is Mohammad Asif,the recently crowned national champion. He will be accompanied by Rana Irfan Mahmood, who secured the runner-up position at the national championship. This pairing represents a strong foundation for Pakistan’s ambitions in the men’s category.
The Under-21 team will be spearheaded by rising stars Ahsan Ramzan, a 2025 Asian U-21 bronze medalist, and Mohammad Hasnain Akhtar, the current IBSF U-17 world champion. These young players bring a wealth of potential and recent success to the competition,highlighting the growing talent within Pakistani junior snooker.
Naveed Kapadia, serving as both PBSA secretary and tournament director of the recent national championship, will accompany the team as delegate and manager, providing crucial support and guidance throughout the event.
Currently, the selected players are engaged in an intensive training camp at the Jahangir Khan Sports Complex, meticulously preparing for the challenges ahead.asif and Irfan are scheduled to depart for Doha on Friday, followed by Ramzan and Akhtar on Sunday, ensuring all team members arrive with ample time to acclimatize and finalize preparations.
The PBSA has expressed strong confidence in the selected squad, anticipating a triumphant performance and hoping the players will bring honor to Pakistan through their achievements at the Asian Championships. the nation eagerly awaits their performance and potential to secure victories in both the men’s and Under-21 categories.