Pakistan fell flat against a strong Indian side. − AFP Photo

Pakistan recorded their third successive defeat at the Asian Central Zone Volleyball Championship when they were comprehensively beaten by hosts India at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

India cruised to a straight-sets win over their arch rivals with scores of 25-17, 25-15 and 25-22, to book a place in the final against tournament favourites Iran. The match, which lasted 70 minutes, was completely dominated by the hosts from the beginning as Pakistan failed to make an impact.

India welcomed back star spiker Gurchand Singh, who reportedly missed the match against Iran due to injury. Singh`s smash and service excellence proved too much for a demoralised Pakistan side, whose participation wasn`t confirmed until two days before the tournament kicked off.

Ranked 61 places behind their eastern neighbours, the Pakistani squad underwent a 48-hour commute to reach the host city. Despite losing their first two matches (against Iran and Kazakhstan), Pakistan`s coach Brazilian coach Augusto Sabbatini and captain Zaheer Abbas believed their side would be able to make a comeback against India.

With their miserable stint at the tournament now over, Pakistan will return home as India prepare to take on a red-hot Iran side on Monday.

Iran, ranked 18th in the world, remain unbeaten in the tournament and have only dropped one set in their three matches. India will hope to unsettle the tournament favourites with the backing of their home crowd as they vie for the gold medal.

Opinion

Editorial

New IMF programme?
Updated 03 Jun, 2023

New IMF programme?

The tranche’s release is crucial to the government’s plans to provide relief to the public in the budget.
Pemra’s edict
03 Jun, 2023

Pemra’s edict

IN an effort to mould the narrative, and prevent “undesirable” opinions from making it to the airwaves, Pemra ...
Crypto dreams
03 Jun, 2023

Crypto dreams

THOUGH the majority of the global financial community has wholeheartedly embraced the promise of cryptocurrencies,...
Balanced approach
Updated 02 Jun, 2023

Balanced approach

Only a legitimate government may be able to take the country out of its present crisis.
Rise in attacks
02 Jun, 2023

Rise in attacks

AN enduring security dilemma for Pakistan has been the issue of cross-border havens in Afghanistan for militants,...
Narrowing the gap
02 Jun, 2023

Narrowing the gap

THE rupee made a substantial recovery of 11.5 against the dollar in the open market a day after the State Bank...