Pakistan has been desperately short of sporting success stories in recent years and though the amateur championship may not have the glamour and profile of the professional event, politicians, fans and media have lavished praise on the country’s only current world champion.

Asif held off England’s Gary Wilson 10-8 in Sunday’s low-key final in the Bulgarian capital Sofia – a far cry from the hallowed baizes of the Crucible where Ronnie O’Sullivan won his fourth professional world title in May – but he almost never made it to the tournament.

A shortage of funds meant the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) had practically given up hope of sending players to the championship until a slew of personal donations allowed Asif to board the plane.