HAIKOU, China: Pakistan made an impressive start to the 2026 Asian Boys’ Under-18 Volleyball Championship, defeating Kyrgyzstan 3-0 in their opening group-stage match.
From the outset, Pakistan controlled the game with disciplined play, effective serving, and strong attacking performances to secure a straight-sets victory.
The Green Shirts comfortably claimed the match with set scores of 25-10, 25-19, and 25-17, earning their first win of the tournament.
Pakistan dominated the opening set through powerful serves, solid blocking, and aggressive attacks, allowing Kyrgyzstan little opportunity to build momentum before taking the set 25-10.
Kyrgyzstan showed greater resistance in the second set, but Pakistan maintained its composure and continued to display excellent teamwork and discipline, winning 25-19 to extend its lead.
The Pakistani side completed the victory in the third set with another confident performance, combining strong defense with effective attacking play to seal the set 25-17 and the match 3-0.
Several Pakistani players delivered standout performances during the contest.
Fahad Ali impressed with his aggressive attacking, while Muhammad Anas contributed with effective blocking at the net. Team captain Muhammad Irfan provided strong leadership throughout the match, Asadullah excelled defensively, and Faizanullah made a significant impact with his attacking efforts.
Following the victory, Pakistan Under-18 head coach Kifayatullah expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of beginning a major tournament with a win.
He said the players executed the game plan effectively, maintained discipline throughout the match, and played with confidence.
Despite the convincing victory, the coach cautioned that the team remains focused on the upcoming fixtures, describing Kazakhstan and Thailand as strong opponents.
Pakistan will play its second Group match against Kazakhstan on July 13, followed by its third match against Thailand on July 14.
Both matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time.
The Asian Boys’ Under-18 Volleyball Championship brings together the continent’s top emerging volleyball talent and serves as an important platform for developing future international players. Pakistan will be aiming to maintain its winning momentum and secure qualification for the knockout stage with strong performances in its remaining group matches.
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