Pakistan reached the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s volleyball after beating India 3-0 in their quarter-final at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium on Thursday.
Pakistan controlled the opening set from the outset and wrapped it up 25-19 in 23 minutes. India responded with a more competitive display in the second set, but Pakistan held firm to claim it 25-23 after a 34-minute battle.
The Pakistan team completed the straight-sets victory by taking the third set 25-18 in 25 minutes.
Murad Khan was Pakistan’s top scorer with 19 points, including 18 from successful attacks. Ali Usman Faryad added 13 points, while Mohammad Hammad finished with nine.
Pakistan also held the edge in attacking points, recording 75 compared with India’s 60, and led 5-4 in blocks. India, however, produced more service points and benefited from 20 errors by Pakistan, one more than its opponents committed.
Pakistan had begun their Asian Games campaign with a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan before sweeping Uzbekistan 3-0 to book a knockout-stage berth with one pool match remaining.
They then lost 3-0 to hosts Japan in their final pool fixture but bounced back strongly against India to reach the semi-finals.
