The National Snooker Championship 2025 is in full swing, and day three brought an exhilarating set of matches, showcasing the immense talent in the sport. Junior Asian Under-21 Championship semi-finalist and Punjab’s pride, Muhammad Shahbaz, delivered a stunning upset by defeating fifth-seed Abdul Javed from Islamabad in a gripping 4-2 match.
The Snooker Arena at the National Bank Sports Complex echoed with excitement as Shahbaz’s precision and composure outclassed his seasoned opponent. The frame scores were 64-49, 74-44, 10-69, 95-10, 0-77, and 81-09, demonstrating Shahbaz’s dominance in the match.
Tournament Director Naveed Kapadia highlighted the fierce competition, noting that Shahbaz’s win marked the third upset of the tournament. His victory against Javed reflects his rapid ascent in the snooker world and the depth of talent emerging from Punjab.
Spectacular Century Breaks
Day three wasn’t just about upsets; it was a showcase of skill, with seven century breaks recorded. Mubashir Raza of Punjab stole the spotlight with breaks of 125 and 110 during his 4-1 victory over Aamir Shahzad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Other notable century breaks came from World Snooker Champion Muhammad Asif (113), Muhammad Fahim (113), Wasim Abbas (101), Ahsan Javed (100), and Abdul Sattar (100).
Other Highlights of the Day
- Punjab’s Shahid Aftab defeated Shahid Saleem of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 4-1.
- Ahsan Ramzan (Punjab) triumphed over Balochistan’s Ibrahim Khan 4-1.
- Sindh’s Umar Naeem edged out Balochistan’s Bahadur Khan in a thrilling 4-3 match.
- National Bank’s Muhammad Asif secured a clean 4-0 victory against Punjab’s Zubair Tahir.
The 49th NBP National Snooker Championship continues to captivate fans, with incredible performances and surprises at every turn. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds.