(Web Desk) – Pakistan on Friday delivered a resounding 0-3 defeat to arch-rivals India in the semi-final of the Asian Under-16 Volleyball Championship, earning a place in the final.
The title clash will be held on Saturday against Iran, who beat Japan in the other semi-final.
The Pakistani junior team reached the final without dropping a single set. They won the first set 16-25, the second 19-25, and sealed the victory with a dominant 12-25 in the third set.
Junaid, Faizan, Irfan, and Talha were standout performers for Pakistan, playing key roles in the team’s impressive win. With their stellar performance throughout the event, Pakistan has already secured qualification for the 2026 World U-17 Volleyball Championship.
Meanwhile, in the second semi-final, Iran defeated Japan 0-3. Earlier in the tournament, undefeated Pakistan had already beaten Iran 1-3 in the quarter-final round to reach the semi-finals.
Placed in Group D, Pakistan had earlier overcome South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Chinese Taipei to top the group, and then defeated Indonesia to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
The Pakistani team remains unbeaten in the event, outclassing every opponent with strong performances.
The Asian U-16 Volleyball Championship is being held in Thailand, featuring top junior teams from across Asia.
PM greets Team Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistani team on qualifying for the final of the championship. Expressing joy, he noted that Pakistan remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and that defeating India in the semi-final to reach the final was highly commendable.
He added that the entire nation is proud of its youth and prayed for Pakistan’s victory in the final.