Nakhon Pathom, July 17, 2025: Pakistan continued their stellar run at the Asian Under-16 Volleyball Championship with a thrilling 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Iran, registering their fifth consecutive win and securing a semi-final berth.
In what proved to be their toughest challenge yet, the Green Shirts overcame Iran in a gripping two-hour contest with set scores of 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, and 31-29. Notably, this was the first time Pakistan dropped a set in the tournament after sweeping their previous four matches in straight sets.
Star performer Faizanullah led the charge with 22 points, including 20 from attacks, while Muhammad Irfan added 16 points. Muhammad Junaid and Saran Baig also delivered crucial contributions in key moments.
With the victory, Pakistan topped Group F in the crossover round, having carried forward their earlier win against South Korea. They now await a semi-final clash against either India or Japan, to be played on July 19.
Pakistan launched their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over South Korea, sealing the sets 25-16, 25-19, and 25-8. The team then steamrolled Saudi Arabia 25-14, 25-13, and 25-11, followed by a clinical performance against Chinese Taipei, which they defeated 26-24, 25-14, 25-16.
Their consistency and growing confidence were on full display in the crossover round match against Indonesia, where Pakistan came back from a 3-12 deficit to win the first set 25-23, followed by 25-20, 25-20 victories in the next two. Junaid scored 15 points, while Faizanullah added 11 to extend the team’s unbeaten streak.
The tournament, organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation, is being jointly hosted in the Thai cities of Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi, with 16 participating teams divided into four pools.
Crucially, the top four finishers will earn direct qualification to the newly expanded 24-team FIVB U17 World Championship in 2026 — a major incentive and historic opportunity for Pakistan’s young squad.
As Pakistan advances to the semi-finals, hopes are high for a podium finish and a shot at the continental title in the final, scheduled for July 19.
