TEHRAN – Pakistan’s U16 volleyball team created history by clinching their first-ever Asian U16 Volleyball Championship, defeating defending champions Iran in a dramatic final.
The young Pakistani side stunned volleyball world by overcoming a two-set deficit to win the match 3-2, with set scores of 22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, 15-10. Green Shirts showed remarkable resilience and mental strength to turn the tide in their favour after a slow start.
Muhammad Junaid and Faizanullah remained prominent players standout players in the final, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s astonishing comeback.
Iran, the tournament favourites and title holders, started strong, dominating first two sets. Pakistan refused to back down. With unwavering spirit, they fought back to level the match and forced a decider, where they maintained their momentum to seal the historic victory. This win marks Pakistan’s maiden title at the AVC Asian Men’s U16 Volleyball Championship, and ends Iran’s hopes of consecutive championships.
Pakistan’s journey to final was nothing short of spectacular. The team remained unbeaten throughout the competition, beginning with a dominant 3-0 win over South Korea.
In the crossover round, the Green Shirts continued their flawless form with another 3-0 sweep over Indonesia. Semi-final clash against traditional rivals India turned into a one-sided affair, as Pakistan overpowered their opponents with a commanding 25-16, 25-19, 25-12 win, outperforming them in every department attack, defence, and serve.
With this landmark victory, Pakistan has not only earned regional glory but also made a bold statement about the future of volleyball in the country. The young squad’s extraordinary performance throughout the tournament signals a promising new era for the sport in Pakistan.
