Pakistan’s rising snooker talent Hasnain Akhtar has made history by winning the IBSF World U17 Snooker Championship in Bahrain. He defeated Poland’s Riley Powell 4-0 in the final on Friday, becoming the first Pakistani to win this title.
The 16 year old dominated the final match with frame scores of 86-7, 73-35, 50-32, and 98-4. He played with confidence and focus, not giving his opponent any chance to recover. Hasnain only lost one frame during the entire tournament.
His win is a proud moment for Pakistan’s cue sports. The U17 championship replaced the U18 category in 2023. Before this, Naseem Akhtar had won the U18 title in 2017.
Hasnain Akhtar leads a new generation of snooker champions
Hasnain reached the final after a solid 4-0 win in the semi-final against Poland’s Oliwier Nizialek. His back to back victories against top players show his potential and calmness under pressure.
This victory comes at the same day when Muhammad Asif won the IBSF World Masters title for Pakistan. With both senior and junior players winning on the world stage, Pakistan’s snooker future looks bright.
Hasnain Akhtar’s achievement will inspire many young players across the country. He has shown that hard work and talent can bring international success, even at a young age.
His name will now be remembered as a pioneer in Pakistan’s snooker history. With more support and training, Hasnain could become a regular name in global snooker events. His journey has just begun.
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