June 29, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 13, 1428

ISLAMABAD, June 28: Pakistan outplayed their arch-rivals India 3-1 in the second match to make it 1-1 in the first-ever volleyball Test series between the two countries at the POF Gymnasium, Wah on Thursday.

The hosts, who were beaten in the first match of the series on Tuesday, returned with a new vigour in the second game, prevailing over their opponents 25-22, 25-21, 14-25 and 25-13.

The Pakistan spikers started their campaign nicely, reaching the score of 16-13 at the second technical timeout. The hosts eventually won the opening set 25-22.

The Pakistanis, excelling in all the departments, scored 12 points through powerful spikes, three points through service aces while 10 unforced errors made by India gave a big bonus to Pakistan.

In the second set Pakistan kept their pressure against their opponents, attacking them throughout. Spikers Naseer Ahmed, Sanaullah and Kashif Mansoor also changed serving tactics which derailed the Indian team’s reception rendering their setters to set only high ball which the Pakistanis blocked effectively to take the set 25-21.

The Indian coach changed his team’s tactics in the third set and used multiple blocks to counter the powerful smashing from the Pakistan side. The Asian Central Zone Championship winners led throughout the time, never allowing the opposition to come close to their score before bagging the set 25-14.

However, in the fourth and final set Pakistan launched a great comeback amid some skilful volleyball from both sides as they exchanged powerful spikes and blocking. But the Pakistanis never let the tourists to narrow the lead while quickly reaching the match point followed by the last point to capture the set 25-13 and the match.

The third match of the series will be played on Saturday at the Qayyum Stadium, Peshawar while the fourth and final encounter of the first phase of the eight-match Test series will be staged at the Wapda Sports Complex, Lahore on Monday.–Agencies