PH gets shot at sepak takraw gold, adds bronze to Asian Games haul

Pakistan wrapped up a truly dominant campaign by winning the Central Asian Volleyball Association Championship on Wednesday. The home side defeated Bangladesh in straight sets during the final, played at the Liaquat Gymnasium within the Pakistan Sports Complex. This victory extended Pakistan’s unbeaten record across the entire six-nation tournament, which also included Kazakhstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. Throughout the match, Pakistan looked in complete control. Their serving was powerful, their blocking well organized, and their attacking play sharp and consistent. Bangladesh struggled to find any rhythm against such a well-rounded performance. Pakistan took the opening set 25-20 before stepping things up even further in the second, winning it comfortably 25-16 through disciplined, coordinated play. Bangladesh showed some fight in the third set and briefly threatened a comeback. Pakistan, however, refused to let the momentum slip and closed out the match 25-20, sealing the championship in front of a jubilant home crowd. The win marked a perfect end to the tournament for Pakistan, who finished all seven matches unbeaten and did not drop a single set throughout the competition. Following this achievement, Pakistan climbed eight spots in the FIVB world rankings, moving up to 38th place globally. This also makes them the sixth-ranked team in Asia, sitting just behind Japan, Iran, Qatar, South Korea, and China. In the other major result of the day, Sri Lanka secured the bronze medal after a hard-fought five-set win over Uzbekistan in the third-place playoff. Kazakhstan finished the tournament in fifth position, while Nepal ended up at the bottom of the standings. Following the win, Pakistan Volleyball Federation chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob offered his congratulations to the team. He praised the players, coaches, and support staff for their contribution to the victory, describing it as the result of consistent hard work and discipline. He also thanked everyone involved in organizing the event, including sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who helped make it a success. Federation president Sohail Khawar Mir echoed similar sentiments, calling the achievement a strong reflection of Pakistan’s talent and preparation. He pointed out how difficult it is to win an entire tournament without dropping a single set, calling it a rare and impressive feat. Sohail also praised Bangladesh’s performance throughout the event and thanked the other competing nations for making it a strong, competitive championship. He added that the tournament had helped grow the sport’s presence in the region while boosting Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable host for international sporting events.