LAHORE: Pakistan came from behind in all three sets to topple Bangladesh 3-0 in the inaugural match of the Engro Volleyball Five-Nations League here at the Punjab Sports Board’s Gymnasium Hall on Thursday.

Pakistan took a slim 7-6 lead in the opening set and then went ahead 11-10 before Bangladesh bounced back to equalise 11-11 and 13-13. Though Pakistan salvaged a 16-13 lead before extending it to 20-14 and looked for a certain winner, Bangladesh again came from behind to make it 22-all. The teams were tied at 24-24 and 26-26 before Pakistan earned the two set winners to complete the victory 28-26.

In the second set, a belligerent looking Bangladesh took a 10-6 lead before making it 19-15. From there, Pakistan staged a brilliant comeback to make it 22-22 before bagging the set 26-24.

The third set presented the same trend as the visitors led 4-2, 11-10, 18-16 before Pakistan yet again staged a gallant fight-back to move ahead 21-20 and then took the set 25-23 to seal the fate of the match.

From Pakistan, Mazhar, Hamid, Fahad and Usman played well while Bangladesh players Al-Amin, Ismail and Sujon impressed.

The second match of the day, between Iran and Afghanistan, was to start late night.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2022