KARACHI: Pakistan won the Under-18 Central Volleyball Championship by defeating Iran 3-1 in the final on Monday in Tehran.
The Green shirts showcased remarkable talent and determination in the game. They lost the first set 20-25 but made an impressive comeback to win the next three sets 25-18, 25-23, and 27-25.
Key players Muhammad Yahya, Talal Ahmed, and Khizr Hayat played pivotal roles in this victory. Yahya’s powerful spikes and Ahmed’s precise setting were instrumental, while Hayat’s defensive prowess kept the Iranian attackers at bay.
This victory not only secured the championship but also qualified Pakistan for the upcoming Asian Under-20 Volleyball Championship, a significant achievement for the team.
The tournament concluded with individual accolades, where Muhammad Yahya was honoured as the Most Influential Player and Best Hitter. Talal Ahmed received the Best Setter award, and Jibran was named Best Blocker, highlighting Pakistan's dominance in various aspects of the game.
Remember, Pakistan men's team faced defeat in the final of the fourth edition of the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 against Qatar in Isa Town, Bahrain on Sunday, June 9 with a score of 3-0.
Qatar won all of the sets with scores of 25-22, 25-20 and 25-19 to take the title home for the first time.
Pakistan came into the finals undefeated in the Asia AVC Challenge Cup as they defeated Kazakhstan by 3-0, Thailand by 3-0, Vietnam by 3-2 and South Korea by 3-1 in the semi-final.
Whereas Qatar won three of their four games in the tournament losing against South Korea in their first match by 3-2. They won their games against Indonesia, China and Kazakhstan in the semi-final with scores of 3-0, 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.
Qatar and Pakistan have previously played two volleyball games and Qatar outclassed Pakistan in both of them with scores of 3-2 and 3-1.