LAHORE: Pakistan tasted their first defeat in the World U-19 Volleyball Championship in Tashkent on Tuesday when Argentina in a nail-biting match edged them 3-2.

After losing the opening set 24-26, Argentina made an impressive comeback to win second and third sets 25-18 and 25-21.

However, in-form Pakistan turned the tables on their opponents to claim the fourth set 25-16 to make it 2-2.

The fight for each point continued in the decisive fifth set, which Argentina won 15-11 to clinch the match.

Despite losing the Argentina match, Pakistan, who had won all their previous four pool stage matches 3-0, secured top position in their pool with 13 points.

Now Pakistan play their matches in the round of top 16 teams.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2025