ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Australia will lock horns here on Tuesday in the opening fixture of a three-match series, to be played as part of both teams’ preparation for next month’s Asian Volley­ball Confederation Challenge Cup in Bahrain.

It is the first time Australia are visiting the country for volleyball matches, which will be played at the Pakistan Sports Complex on consecutive days, making it a historic occasion.

Pakistan go into the series high on confidence following their recent title triumph in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship.

Addressing the pre-match press conference here on Monday, Australia head coach Daniel Ilott said expressed excitement on the behalf of his players about playing against the hosts.

Ilott praised Pakistan’s show in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship, observing that the team had improved gradually over the passage of time. He said that the series would help Australia acclimatise ahead of the Challenge Cup, which will be held in Bahrain.

Ilott’s counterpart Ruben Wolochin said he expected good competition between his team and Australia across the three matches.

Pakistan captain Murad Jehan said his team were wary of what Australia bring to the court, but added that the hosts felt confident about putting up a good show against a well-established unit, while also keeping the Challenge Cup in mind.

Australian skipper Nehemiah Mote said that his side were looking forward for a good fight between the two sides, while acknowledging Pakistan’s progress as a decent unit over the past few years.

Pakistan Volleyball Federation president Chaudhary Mohammad Yaqoob, meanwhile, said the three matches were a great opportunity for Pakistan fans to witness exciting contests.

Squads:

PAKISTAN: Murad Jehan (captain), Kashif Naveed (deputy-captain), Waleed Khan, Murad Khan, Aimal Khan, Usman Faryad Ali, Fakharuddin, Afaq Khan, Abdul Zaheer, Musawer Khan, Mohammad Hamad, Haider Ali, Nasir Ali

AUSTRALIA: Nehemiah Mote (captain), Luke Perry, Arshdeep Dosanjh, Jackson Holland, Trent O’dea, Matthew Aubrey, Max Senica, Beau Graham, Thomas Heptinstall, Sam Flowerday, Nicholas Butler, Ethan Garrett, William D’arcy Miles, Jacob Baird.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2024