Mohammad Asif and Rana Irfan Face Mixed Fortunes in Knockout Rounds of Asian Snooker Championship

DOHA — Pakistan’s three-time IBSF world champion Mohammad Asif and national runner-up Rana Irfan Mahmood advanced to the knockout stages of the 2026 Asian Snooker Championship in Qatar after a dominant group-stage display, but the competition has intensified as the tournament enters its final days.

The Group Stage: A Perfect Start

Pakistan’s senior cueists enjoyed a flawless opening weekend at the QBSF Snooker Academy in Doha:

• Mohammad Asif: Following his 4-1 opening victory against Jordan’s Tamer Elmasri, Asif secured back-to-back wins by dispatching Bahrain’s Hesham Alsaqer 4-0. He conceded only 67 points in the entire match, opening with a clinical 56 break.
• Rana Irfan Mahmood: The national runner-up also enjoyed a strong debut, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Lin Shu Hung 4-1 on Sunday, Feb 1.

Knockout Stage Update (February 2–3)

The tournament transitioned to the high-stakes knockout phase on Monday, where the field was trimmed to the last 22 players.

• Mohammad Asif Stunned: In a major upset on Monday evening, Mohammad Asif’s quest for the continental title hit a roadblock. He was defeated 2-4 by Hong Kong’s Chau Hon Man in the second round of the knockouts.
• Rana Irfan’s Close Encounter: Rana Irfan was locked in a grueling battle against UAE legend Mohamed Shehab. Their match was suspended late Monday at a 3-3 deadlock, with the decider scheduled to determine who advances to the quarter-finals.
• The Youth Challenge: Asian U-21 bronze medallist Ahsan Ramzan and reigning IBSF U-17 champion Hasnain Akhtar are set to begin their knockout matches today, February 3, as they look to secure titles in the junior categories.

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Tournament Schedule & Outlook

The Asian Championship, featuring 43 cueists from across the continent, is nearing its climax:

• Quarter-Finals & Semi-Finals: Taking place throughout today, February 3.
• The Grand Final: The Men’s final is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
• Regional Rivals: Indian veterans Pankaj Advani and Laxman Rawat, along with Iran’s Amir Sarkhosh, remain strong contenders for the title, with Advani already securing his spot in the quarter-finals.

Pakistan’s Squad Status

The junior and women’s categories are set to conclude by February 6.

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