June 21, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 05, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 20: Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Iran thrashed their respective opponents in the second Asian Central Zone Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Laiquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday.

On the second day of the championship, hosts Pakistan recorded their second win, outclassing Turkmenistan 3-0 in the single-league contest.

The Pakistan spikers won the first set against Turkmenistan 25-15. The hosts cruised smoothly to lead in the first technical time out at 8-4 and then onwards they excelled in all departments of the game.

In the second set Pakistan changed their strategy, using different quick combinations to leave the opponents helpless in block and defence, and took the set 25-13 before claiming the third set 25-16 to win the match.

Pakistan made two changes in the third set to give some exposure to their players in order to plan for their coming game against a strong Iran team whom the home side will face on Thursday.

In the second match of the day, Iran outclassed Sri Lanka 3-0.

The Iranians won the first set smoothly 25-17 through power spiking, formidable blocking and sizzling service of Pajohan, Maki Nesab with very good setting of Shariati Larijani and some defensive Eftekharian Anousheh.

The second set went neck and neck as both the teams displayed fine skills. Iran, having relatively more experience, were able to seize the set 25-23 followed by a 25-16 win for them in the third and final set.Earlier yesterday, defending champions Kazakhstan defeated the Maldives in straight sets.

Kazakhstan enjoyed the services of very experienced players who had participated in last year’s world championship in Japan.

The Maldives fought well initially but were overpowered by their strong opponents having players with the best average height amongst all the participating teams.

Kazakhstan, with perfect reception, did not allow the Maldives blockers and defenders to retrieve sizzling full shots, bagging the opening set 25-13.

In the second set the Maldives put up some resistance as Kazakhstan seemed relaxed a bit but regained their concentration to grasp the second set 25-19.

Kazakhstan introduced some new tactics in the third set to win it 25-13 and the match 3-0.

Thursday’s schedule:

India v Sri Lanka (1.00pm), Turkmenistan v Maldives (3.00pm), Pakistan v Iran (5.00pm). –Agencies