Pakistan set to make debut at U19 Volleyball World Cup

Pakistan is all set to participate in the FIVB U19 Volleyball World Cup, which will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from July 21 to August 3.

This is the first time Pakistan will be playing in the prestigious youth volleyball tournament.

The team secured its spot in the tournament after clinching bronze in the U18 Asian Championship last year.

Drawn in Group A, Pakistan will face tough competition from Belgium, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. Their campaign begins on July 24 against Belgium, followed by matches against Uzbekistan on July 25, Turkey on July 26, Puerto Rico on July 28, and Argentina on July 29.

The Pakistan Volleyball Federation has, meanwhile, finalised the provisional squad of 15 players for the event, with the final 12 to be selected ahead of the tournament.

The provisional squad includes Talal Ahmed, Abu Bakar Siddique, Jabran, Muhammad Anas, Muhammad Hassan, Muhammad Saud, Ajmal Junaid, Muhtad Ali Shah, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Yahya, Javed Ahmed, Tayyab Khan, Usman Akhtar, Khizar Hayat, and Hayam Khan.

The team management finalised for the event include manager Syed Farooq Ahmed Bokhari, with head coach Saeed Ahmed Khan Sady and assistant coaches Ehsan Iqbal and Muhammad Suleman Amin. Trainer Muhammad Salman will also accompany the squad.