DOHA — Pakistan’s Shahid Aftab delivered a remarkable performance in the IBSF World Snooker Championship, defeating India’s Paras Gupta 4–2 in a gripping contest that kept spectators at the edge of their seats. The match, held in Doha, Qatar, showcased Shahid’s tactical brilliance, unwavering focus, and exceptional cue control as he sealed his place in Stage 2 of the global event.
The game began with intense exchanges between the two cueists. Gupta took an early lead by winning the second and fourth frames, but Shahid’s resilience and composure under pressure made the difference. From the third frame onward, he displayed precise shot-making and strategic safety play, turning the momentum firmly in his favor.
The fifth frame proved to be the turning point, where Shahid dominated with a massive break of 122 the highest of the match silencing his opponent and energizing Pakistani fans watching from home. He eventually sealed victory in the sixth frame, closing the match 4–2 to book his ticket to the pre-quarterfinals.
Frame Paras Gupta (India) Shahid Aftab (Pakistan) Winner
1 25 73 Shahid
2 94 27 Gupta
3 36 77 Shahid
4 76 58 Gupta
5 6 122 Shahid
6 49 60 Shahid
Final Score: Shahid Aftab (Pakistan) 4 – 2 Paras Gupta (India)
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former world number two, Muhammad Sajjad, also progressed to the next round despite a narrow defeat against Hong Kong’s Fung Kwok Wai a result made possible by his strong overall group-stage performance.
The victories by Shahid Aftab and other Pakistani cueists have reignited national pride, signaling a strong comeback for Pakistan on the international snooker stage. As Shahid advances to Stage 2, fans and experts alike are hopeful he can continue his impressive run and bring another major title home.
