MANAMA – Pakistan’s men’s volleyball team delivered a resilient performance on Wednesday, defeating Chinese Taipei 3-2 in a nail-biting encounter to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Nations Cup.
The match, held at Isa Bin Rashid Hall in Manama, saw Pakistan take early control by winning the first two sets 25-20 and 25-22. However, Chinese Taipei mounted a fierce comeback, claiming the next two sets 25-21 and 25-16 to level the contest at 2-2. In the deciding fifth set, Pakistan held its nerve to seal an 18-16 win in a high-pressure finish.
Murad Khan led the charge with powerful attacks, while Murad Jehan proved instrumental in defense during the final set. Musawer Khan displayed his all-round capabilities, excelling in both attack and service. Usman Faryad Ali was crucial in blocking at the net, and Fahad Raza’s performance in transition play contributed significantly to Pakistan’s victory.
With this win, Pakistan topped Group C and advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face the runner-up of Group A. The final lineup of quarter-final fixtures is expected to be announced by the Pakistan Volleyball Federation in the coming days.
This result comes on the back of Pakistan’s earlier 3-1 win over the Philippines, affirming their strong form in the tournament. The team’s performance in Bahrain reflects continued growth on the Asian volleyball stage, following recent achievements including a silver medal at the 2024 AVC Men’s Challenge Cup and a gold medal at the 2022 Central Asian Championship.
As the competition intensifies, Pakistan’s squad now eyes a deep run in the tournament, with hopes of securing a historic finish in the AVC Nations Cup.
Reported by PakTribune Sports Desk
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