Pakistan stormed into the final of the Asian Under-16 Volleyball Championship on Friday after defeating arch-rivals India in straight sets in a high-stakes semi-final clash.
The national team continued their unbeaten run in the tournament, overpowering India with set scores of 16-19, 25-25, and 12-25 to seal their spot in the title match.
Pakistan will now face Iran in the final on Saturday, looking to cap off what has been a dominant campaign in Thailand so far.
Led by head coach Kafiatullah, the U-16 side has emerged as a formidable force, registering wins over top regional sides including South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia — and notably, Iran — in earlier rounds.
In contrast, India entered the semi-final after a mixed performance in the classification stages, including a defeat against Japan.
Speaking after the match, head coach Kafiatullah praised the team’s performance and work ethic. “Our six-match winning streak proves that our youth have the strength and talent to compete at the highest level,” he said.
PM hails young team’s achievement
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the national under-16 volleyball team on reaching the final and applauded their unbroken winning streak throughout the tournament.
In a statement issued on Friday, the premier expressed pride in the young athletes. “The entire nation is proud of its youth,” he said, adding, “It is a pleasure to defeat India in the semi-finals and qualify for the final.”
He also extended prayers for the team’s success in the upcoming final against Iran, saying: “May Allah Almighty grant victory to our team in the final.”
The final will take place on Saturday, where Pakistan will aim to claim the Asian U-16 title and cement their place as the region’s rising volleyball powerhouse.
