Pakistan stun Iran to win Asian U-16 Volleyball Championship
The unbeaten Pakistan team made history on Saturday by clinching the title of the 2nd Asian Men's U-16 Volleyball Championship 2025 in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, with a dramatic 3-2 victory over defending champions Iran in a pulsating final.
In a match filled with intensity and momentum shifts, Pakistan stunned Iran after coming back from two sets down to claim a sensational five-set win with scores of 22-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-21, and 15-10. The victory not only earned Pakistan the gold medal and the championship trophy, but also established them as a rising powerhouse in youth volleyball across Asia.
The final began with Iran taking early control, edging Pakistan in a close first set 25-22 and following up with a 25-21 win in the second. However, the young Pakistani squad mounted an impressive comeback, winning the third set in a thrilling 30-28 finish that shifted the momentum decisively.
Read More: Pak storms into the final of Asian U16 Volleyball
With renewed energy and precision, Pakistan took the fourth set 25-21 and dominated the fifth and final set 15-10, leaving the Iranian side unable to respond. It marked Pakistan's second win over Iran in the tournament, having previously beaten them 3-1 in the quarter-final round.
The result forced Iran, who had entered the final as defending champions, to settle for the silver medal.
With this win, Pakistan completed the championship undefeated — a campaign that included a commanding 3-0 semi-final victory over arch-rivals India. Iran had beaten Japan 3-0 in the other semi-final.
Pakistan's path to the title was marked by consistent excellence. In the group stage, they overcame strong opponents including South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Chinese Taipei to top Group D. They then defeated Indonesia in the quarter-finals, followed by back-to-back victories over Iran and India in the knockout rounds.
By securing the Asian title, Pakistan also booked their place in the FIVB U-17 World Championship 2026, further underlining their meteoric rise at the junior level.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Farhan, Ayub script series victory
Opening duo Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub struck valuable half-centuries to help Pakistan overcome West Indies by 2-1 in the three-match T20I series after the visitors won the finale by 14 runs here at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill on Sunday evening. Pakistan successfully defended their 189-run total despite counter-attacking half-centuries by West Indies' Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford. The two teams will now travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the three-match ODI series, which begins on Friday, 8 August. Earlier, Pakistan's decision to bat first bore fruit as Saim and player of the match Sahibzada provided a head-start by raising 138 in 16.2 overs, while also striking their third T20I fifty each. Ayub and Farhan saw through the first few overs with solidity, if not quite the aggression this new-look Pakistan may have desired, and before long found the innings drawing to a close without having lost a wicket. The duo struck 47 runs in the powerplay and brought up their half-century stand in the seventh over of the innings. At the halfway mark the visitors had 82 runs on the board as Sahibzada reached his fifty off 34 balls. Saim got to his milestone with a six and four in the 13th over taking 38 balls. Shamar Joseph drew the much-awaited first blood for West Indies in the 17th over when Sahibzada departed for a 53-ball 74 comprising three fours and five sixes. It was his third half-century outing in the ongoing year. Following Sahibzada's departure Pakistan added 51 runs in 22 balls as Hasan Nawaz struck two sixes in his seven-ball 15, while Khushdil Shah (11 not out, 6b, 1x6) and Faheem Ashraf (10 not out, 3b, 1x6) carved a crucial six-ball 19-run stand for the fifth wicket as Pakistan posted 189-4. For West Indies Roston Chase, Jason Holder and Joseph picked up one wicket each. In turn, West Indies' top-scorer Athanaze and Jewel Andrew jotted together 44 runs in 4.2 overs, 33 of which came in first two overs, before Haris Rauf dismissed the latter for a 15-ball 24 consisting of three boundaries. Player of the series Mohammad Nawaz soon eked out Shai Hope's scalp for a mere seven in the ninth over. Rutherford and Athanaze then added 36 runs for the third wicket before the opening batter holed out to Khushdil off Saim's bowling in the 13th over. At this juncture West Indies required 80 off the last seven overs. Chase and Rutherford then stitched a 39-run stand before the former departed retired out for a 12-ball 15 in the 17th over, while Sufyan Moqim dismissed the previous match's hero Holder for a two-ball duck in the subsequent over giving away only three runs. With 38 required in the last two overs, Haris and Hasan Ali did the job for Pakistan restricting West Indies for 176-6 despite Gudakesh Motie's (10 not out, 4b, 1x4, 1x6) late charge. All six Pakistan bowlers grabbed a wicket each except Faheem Ashraf. Series schedule 31 July – First T20I – Pak won by 14 runs 2 Aug – Second T20I – WI won by two wickets 3 Aug – Third T20I – Pak won by 13 runs 8 Aug – First ODI at Trinidad & Tobago 10 Aug – Second ODI at Trinidad & Tobago 12 Aug – Third ODI at Trinidad & Tobago.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Arslan Ash clinches historic sixth EVO title, defeats fellow Pakistani Atif Butt
Pakistan's Arslan 'Ash' Siddique captured his sixth Evolution Championship Series (EVO) title in Las Vegas on August 3, triumphing in the Tekken 8 Grand Final against compatriot Atif Butt in an all‑Pakistani showdown. Representing Twisted Minds, Arslan reversed an opening set loss to win 3–1, earning US$12,000 and 800 Tour Points. Following the victory, Arslan, already a five-time EVO champion, said he felt 'so blessed' and 'grateful in victory.' EVO described the moment as 'greatness on another level.' Atif Butt, who battled through the lower bracket to reach the final, congratulated his rival but expressed disappointment at the outcome. Arslan praised Atif as 'one of the best players in the world.' This landmark win cements Arslan Ash's status as one of Tekken's greatest players globally and highlights Pakistan's dominance on the international esports stage.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Sindh CM hails Lyari's young footballers for winning Norway Cup 2025
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Monday congratulated Lyari's youth football team, Better Future Pakistan, on winning the prestigious Norway Cup 2025 (Boys U-15 category), calling the victory a proud moment for the entire nation. In a statement issued from the Chief Minister's House, Shah said the young footballers from Lyari have 'brought glory to Pakistan and Sindh on the global stage' and that 'they are our identity and our pride.' 'The Sindh government is committed to ensuring national recognition for these young heroes,' he added. Better Future Pakistan, a team of young footballers from Karachi's Lyari neighbourhood, made history by defeating Danish club KFUM Oslo by 2-1 in the U-15 final of the Norway Cup, one of the world's largest youth football tournaments. The final was played in Oslo on Saturday. The team remained undefeated throughout the tournament, displaying exceptional teamwork, discipline, and resilience. The victory is being hailed as a milestone achievement not only for Lyari, long known as the hub of football in Pakistan, but also for the country's grassroots sports development. Earlier, videos of the jubilant celebrations went viral on social media, showing the team waving Pakistani flags after the final whistle and receiving their gold medals on the podium. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah termed the win a moment of pride for the whole country and vowed continued support for youth sports initiatives in underserved communities. Background The Norway Cup is the world's largest international youth football tournament held annually in Oslo, Norway. The 2025 edition featured over 2,000 teams from 58 countries. Better Future Pakistan's participation was part of a broader youth engagement initiative supported by local community organisers, volunteers, and sponsors committed to using sport as a tool for social uplift in Lyari.
