LAHORE: Resilient Pakistan in a superb comeback defeated Iran 3-2 in the final of the Asian U-16 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand on Saturday.

According to the results released by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), Pakistan won the final after conceding a 2-0 lead. The scoreline of the action-packed decider was 22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, 15-10.

Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the event indicates the team has a strong bench strength.

By clinching the final, Pakistan finished on top in Asia, which is an unprecedented achievement in the history of the country’s volleyball.

Pakistan in the process also qualified for the 2026 U-17 World Volleyball Championship.

Speaking on the occasion, a delighted Pakistan coach Kafayatullah in his message said that the players delivered a remarkable performance.

“They not only showed great stamina in these five sets [of the final] but also a strong mind as it was not easy to come from behind against strong opponents [like Iran],” Kafayatullah said.

“This victory has boosted morale of the players and with better training and facilities, they will be able to show more potential for success in the U-17 World Volleyball Championship,” the coach added.

Meanwhile, PVF chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob congratulated the team for finishing the event as winners. “Now the volleyball of Pakistan is being recognised across the globe as our senior team [have] also defeated several top teams of the world,” Yaqoob said.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2025