Pakistan face Bangladesh in CAVA volleyball decider

Published Updated
 ISLAMABAD: Players of Pakistan (white) and Sri Lanka in action during the CAVA Volleyball Championship semi-final at the Liaquat Gymnasium on Tuesday.—Tanveer Shahzad/White Star
ISLAMABAD: Players of Pakistan (white) and Sri Lanka in action during the CAVA Volleyball Championship semi-final at the Liaquat Gymnasium on Tuesday.—Tanveer Shahzad/White Star

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan maintained their unbeaten run at the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Men’s Volleyball Championship, defeating Sri Lanka in straight sets to qualify for the final, where they will face Bangladesh at the Liaquat Gymnasium on Tuesday.

Bangladesh also secured their place in the title match after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in the other semifinal.

Pakistan controlled proceedings against Sri Lanka from the start, using effective serving, blocking and attacking to take the opening set 25-18. They produced a dominant display in the second set, restricting Sri Lanka to just 10 points before completing the victory with a 25-21 win in the third.

Sri Lanka showed greater resistance in the final set, but Pakistan held their composure to complete a 3-0 victory and remain unbeaten in the tournament.

In the other semifinal, Bangladesh defeated Uzbekistan 25-21, 25-20, 25-19 to reach the final for the first time.

Bangladesh maintained control throughout the match, with their serving and blocking helping them overcome Uzbekistan’s challenge. Uzbekistan remained competitive in all three sets but were unable to sustain pressure as Bangladesh secured a place in the championship match.

Uzbekistan will now play for the bronze medal.

Earlier, Kazakhstan defeated Nepal 3-0 to finish fifth in the tournament. Kazakhstan won the match 25-16, 26-24, 25-20 after overcoming a stronger challenge from Nepal in the second set.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026

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