LAHORE: Pakistan stor­med into the final of the Asian U-16 Boys Volleyball Championship after a commanding 3-0 victory over arch-rivals India in the semi-final held in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, on Friday.

In a one-sided contest, Pakistan clinched the match with set scores of 25-16, 25-19, and 25-12, with the Indian side struggling to mount any significant resistance.

The victory also confirmed Pakistan’s qualification for the World U-17 Volleyball Championship, which was secured upon their entry into the semi-finals of the ongoing tournament.

According to a press rele­a­se issued by the Pak­istan Volleyball Federation (PVF), Junaid, Faizan, Irfan, and Talha were amo­ng the standout performers, contributing significantly in both attack and defence.

“Pakistan’s superior blocking and fast counter-attacks left the Indian team struggling to gain momentum,” the PVF said, adding that the result underscoref the country’s growing stature in youth volleyball across Asia.

Head coach Kafait Ullah hailed the performance, describing it as a “statement win” against a traditional rival.

“Today’s match was not just a win over India; it was a statement. Our players have shown incredible resilience, maturity, and teamwork. Beating India in such a convincing manner is a huge morale boost ahead of the final,” he said.

Pakistan face Iran in the final on Saturday.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025