LAHORE: Pakistan take on Bangladesh in the opening match of the five-nation Engro Central Asia Volleyball Nations League which starts here at Punjab Sports Board’s Gymnasium Hall on Thursday.

Iran, Asia’s top-ranked team, face Afghanistan in the second match of the day. Sri Lanka is the fifth team of the event.

The match between Pakistan and Iran will be played on Nov 28.

In their second match, Pakistan meet Afghanistan on Friday and then play Sri Lanka on Sunday.

After the end of the single league stage, top two teams will qualify for the final while the third-place fixture will be played on Tuesday.

Pakistan Volleyball Fed­era­tion chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob on Wednesday said Pakistan had a strong side which could compete well against all the opponents.

Yaqoob said the PVF was targeting the 2028 Olympics.

The tournament’s final will be played on Nov 29.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2022