LAHORE, July 2: India squared the first leg of the inaugural volleyball Test series against traditional contenders Pakistan with a 3-2 win in the fourth match at the Wapda Sports Complex on Monday.

After bagging the first two sets, India faced a strong opposition from the Pakistan spikers, who fought back bravely to make it 2-2 before losing the final set and the Test match as the gruelling contest lasted for almost two hours.

India, who looked a bit frustrated on a few occasions over the decisions of first referee Najam Shah, eventually notched up the victory with the set scores of 25-11, 25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10.

The Indians enjoyed a cakewalk in the first set, winning it in just 17 minutes as Pakistan failed miserably. The performance of libro Tariq also remained unsatisfactory as Pakistan made several unforced errors in defence. On the other hand, Indian smashers Gurchand and Pradeep were very impressive.

However, it was a different scenario for India in the second set as they experienced some tense moments, before doubling their lead.

Once Pakistan were leading 14-11 and maintained it till 20-18, they should have won the set, but the visitors improved their game with every serve and dropped just three points to romp home 25-23.

In spite of being 2-0 down, the Pakistani spikers did not surrender as their internationals Naseer Ahmed, Kashif and Irfan Nawaz guided them to wins in the next two sets.

In the third set, after being tied 6-6 Pakistan surged ahead 15-10 as Naseer and Kashif served and smashed well, tearing apart the Indian defence. Though India chased Pakistan well making it 24-22 but lost it 25-22 in the end.

India seemed to win the match in the fourth set as they established an 8-5 lead but they were caught up 10-10 and then 12-12.

Then as Pakistan took a 14-12 lead, the Indians protested against the first referee for giving a point to Pakistan. India’s Sube showed his annoyance over the decision by kicking off the ball.

The score remained neck and neck — 18-18 and 20-20 before the hosts claimed the set 25-21 to level the set score 2-2.

The fifth set belonged to the Indians who captured it 15-10 to win the Test match 3-2 to draw the first leg of the eight-match series 2-2.