ISLAMABAD, Sept 13: The Pakistan volleyball team named Friday for this month’s Asian Games in Busan comprises four players currently competing in the Asian Junior Championship in Tehran.

Bakht Risal, Zafar Iqbal, Sajid Nawaz and Kashif Mansoor are all on a 10-member squad that has been bracketed with China, Japan and Chinese Taipei for the Sept 29 to Oct 14 Games.

The party, led by Irfan Nawaz also includes Muhammad Elahi, Ehsanullah Tipu, Muhammad Tufail, Muhammad Jameel and Ishfaq Hussain. Ukrainian coach Faydor, presently on tour with the junior side, will also be accompanying the seniors to the Asiad.

Secretary of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), Maj (Retd) Muhammad Afzal said that the selected side was balanced one and had a fair chance of advancing from the preliminary group. “I think we can beat Chinese Taipei while a win over China or Japan should put us through.”

Afzal disclosed that since the dates of the Asian Games clashed with the World Championship in Argentina, some of the top sides would be sending second strings to Busan. “This should be an advantage for low ranked sides,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the senior squad minus the touring players, are continuing their training at the Pakistan Sports Complex under national coach MB Javed.