Ikram has won at least three local tournaments and his popularity is growing fast－not only in his hometown but also across Pakistan, mainly because of media attention.

Ikram, who has two younger brothers and five younger sisters, holds a special place in his mother's heart.

"I don't go out and watch him play but his father has seen him playing and we are happy for him," Ikram's mother, Razia Bibi, said. "We used to say that had he got arms, he would have been very happy. But now the whole world will be happy when they see him playing."

Ikram said he wanted to show off his snooker skills abroad, and was hoping to get some support from the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan, the former cricket star who led Pakistan to victory at the 1992 World Cup.

"I wish I could go abroad and play in front of other people and bring fame to Pakistan," Ikram said, as he rested his right leg on the table, flexed his neck, hit the cue ball with his chin and again sends a red hurtling into a pocket.

Associated Press