ISLAMABAD: Star-studded Wapda won the final of the 49th ABL National Volleyball Championship and retained the title at the Liaquat Gymnasium Hall of Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday.

The defending champions defeated Pakistan Air Force 3-1 (25-13, 25-19, 21-25, 25-19).

Owing to outstanding performance by Naseer Ahmed, Muneer Khan, Murad Jehan and Kashif Naveed, who are also part of the national team, Wapda dominated the first two sets.

They earned two points immediately as soon as the first set started and continued increasing their lead. They conceded points only because of their wrong serves.

Internationals Naseer, the captain of Wapda and national team, Muneer and Murad struck powerful smashes while Idrees blocked PAF’s onslaughts effectively.

PAF’s Faisal Rizwan and Fayyaz tried hard to reduce the margin amid their brilliant blocking and smashes but failed to halt the score moving in Wapda’s favour.

In the third set, PAF demonstrated aggression to take lead that brought back the missing thrill and excitement.

Fayyaz and Saqib Moon displayed their true potential amid tactful boosting and blocking Wapda’s attacks.

Wapda continued to strike wrong serves and the airmen took full advantage of their errors.

In the fourth and decisive set, Wapda’s spikers reorganised themselves, particularly Kashif Naveed whose powerful smashes in the right corner were unstoppable.

Later, the chief guest, Federal Minister Riaz Husain Pirzada gave away prizes to the teams. Pakistan Volleyball Federation chairman Chaudhry Yaqoob and Allied Bank’s commercial banking chief Tahir Yaqoob Bhatti also watched the final.

Earlier, after a thrilling five-set contest, Navy defeated Army 3-2 (19-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-22, 15-11) and achieved the third position.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2016