Sahil Nayyar and Andy McCloskey Qualify for Stage-2 of the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2025

Stage-1 of the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2025 concluded on a high note for the Pan America region, as Sahil Nayyar (Canada) and Andy McCloskey (USA) advanced to Stage-2, showcasing composure, resilience, and quality performances in their respective qualification rounds.

Both cueists began their campaigns in the Last-32 of Stage-1 (Part-2), where they were required to win two matches to book their places in the main stage.

Sahil Nayyar’s Comeback Brilliance

Sahil’s qualification run was a fine display of mental strength and tactical discipline. In his opening match, he trailed 1–3 against Iran’s young contender Shahin Sabzi, but mounted a spirited comeback. Regaining rhythm, he cut the deficit with a crucial fifth frame win and then fired a 73-point break to force a decider. In the final frame, Sahil held his nerve and closed out the contest 76–34, earning a place in the final qualifying match.

Facing Iraq’s Ali Hussein, who had defeated him in Part-1, Sahil produced a measured and mature performance. Despite losing the first frame and facing a 56-break in the third, he showed remarkable control to reel off four consecutive frames and complete a 4–1 victory, securing his ticket to Stage-2.

Andy McCloskey’s Confident Progress

Meanwhile, Andy McCloskey maintained consistent form through both rounds of qualification. He began with a 4–1 win over Suleman Salam of Sweden before taking on Pakistan’s experienced cueist Muhammad Sajjad in the deciding match.

Andy took command early, establishing a 3–1 lead, but Sajjad’s tactical play earned him the fifth frame. Unfazed, Andy regained focus and closed out the sixth frame confidently to seal a 4–2 victory and secure his progression to Stage-2.

With these results, the Pan America region now celebrates four representatives in the Stage-2 lineup, Sahil Nayyar (Canada) joins Andy McCloskey, Renat Denkha, and Ajeya Prabhakar (all from the USA). Their qualification marks a significant step forward for the region’s growing competitive presence on the world snooker stage.

Reacting to the success, Ajeya Prabhakar, President of the Pan America Billiards and Snooker Association (PABSA), expressed his pride and optimism:

“This is a proud moment for the Pan America region. Sahil and Andy’s performances reflect the dedication and progress in developing snooker across the Americas. We’ve consistently reached the business end of major events — now our focus is on building even stronger pathways to see players push much deeper into this and other international events.”

Stage-2 of the IBSF World Men’s Snooker Championship 2025 will commence on Saturday, November 8, featuring the world’s best cueists as the quest for the coveted world title continues in Doha, Qatar.