KARACHI: Pakistani snooker player Muhammad Asif received hero’s welcome at the Karachi airport amid chants of Pakistan Zindabad, after winning 2019 IBSF World Championship (Mens) in Turkey.

“I am grateful to Allah (SWT) that he has bestowed me with this title a second time. Your journey is difficult in any given situation. Both times it was tough to win the title,” Asif said while talking to media at the airport.

World snooker champion Asif welcomed at Karachi airport amid chants of Pakistan Zindabad

He said the Pakistani fans were so supportive, but the support should be extended from the government as well.

President Arif Alvi later telephoned Muhammad Asif on Monday and felicitated him on winning the World Snooker Championship.

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They also discussed matters pertaining to promotion of snooker game in the country and the problems faced by its players.

These championship was held in Antalya, the coastal city of Turkey from October 29 till Nov 9.

For Asif this is his second world title after he won first time in the year 2012 at Bulgaria. He played the final against Philippines player Jefrey Roda who also secured any medal for his country after a gap of 27 years.

In the start it looked easy win for Asif when he obtained quick three frames lead but Jefrey made a strong comeback into the game with a century break of 105 points. Later, they both countered each other to reach 7-5 in favour of Asif.

13th frame was crucial where Jefrey fought hard but Asif held his nerve better towards the end and succeeded to win 8-5.