LAHORE: Pakistan finished 13th in the Under-19 World Volleyball Championship after defeating hosts Uzbekistan in straight sets in the positional match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on Sunday.

The visitors dominated the contest with set scores of 25-18, 25-19, 25-18, capping off a commendable campaign in the global event.

Pakistan secured a total of 75 points in the match, including 35 from attacks, eight through blocks, six on serves, and benefitting from 26 errors by the opponents. Mohammad Yahya and Muhtat Ali Shah were the standout performers for Pakistan, contributing 14 and 10 points, respectively.

“This is just the beginning of a new era for Pakistan volleyball,” said head coach Saeed Ahmad Khan. “Our boys played with heart and discipline. Wins against strong teams like Belgium, USA, and Uzbekistan show we are on the right path.”

Pakistan wrapped up their tournament run with five wins from seven matches, underlining their emergence as a competitive force on the international stage.

Pakistan Volleyball Federation chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob lauded the team’s efforts, congratulating the players and coaching staff for their performances against several higher-ranked sides in the 24-nation tournament.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2025