Pakistan stun Qatar to reach AVC Volleyball final
Pakistan advanced to the final of the AVC Nations Cup Volleyball Tournament after securing a stunning straight-sets victory over Qatar in the semifinal.
According to reports from Bahrain, where the inaugural edition of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup is currently underway, Pakistan - ranked 43rd in the world - outclassed world number 23 Qatar by 3-0, securing at least a silver medal in the tournament.
The national team displayed remarkable composure and skill, winning the first two sets with identical scores of 25-22, and sealing the match with a 25-21 win in the third set.
The Nations Cup final will be played tomorrow, with Pakistan either facing Korea or the hosts, Bahrain.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, Pakistan defeated Indonesia 3-1. Indonesia is ranked 62nd in the world. During the group stage, Pakistan emerged as Group C champions by defeating both the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.
It is worth noting that due to its impressive performances on the international circuit, Pakistan has climbed significantly in the global volleyball rankings, rising from 89th to 45th position.
For the unversed, the tournament is being played in Manama from June 17 to 24 and features 12 teams. These include Pakistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Thailand, Qatar, Australia, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines, South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
For context, the tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Volleyball Championship, with top-performing teams earning world ranking points and potential entry into the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB World Championships.
PVF Chairman Ch. Muhammad Yaqoob shared his remarks on the historic victory:
"This win is more than just a semi-final resultit's a statement. The players have shown tremendous heart and discipline. Climbing to World No. 39 is a reflection of the hard work being done at all levels of Pakistan volleyball. We now set our eyes on the final with pride and confidence.
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