PVF hopes for better show in Nations Volleyball Cup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes to improve its performance in the Nations Cup Volleyball as the team heads to Bahrain to participate in the highly competitive event.

Following hours of delay in flight departure, the team left for Bahrain late Sunday evening from Islamabad. Pakistan’s recent hiccup saw them winning only a bronze medal and failing to defend the Central Asian title they won last year.

The spikers are now looking forward to a better show in the Nations Cup. “Players were seen as a bit complacent during the CAVA League, with some failing to make the best of the opportunity.

A few days of hard work and the team hopefully will make the best of their talent and reputation in the forthcoming Nations Cup,” Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) Ch Yaqoob, when contacted, said.

Pakistan will play their first match against the Philippines on June 17 followed by the second on July 19 against Chinese Taipei.

“Hopefully, the team will be in a position to get through the first round easily. Their progress in the second round will be of utmost importance.” The tournament will feature top teams from across Asia. Pakistan ended up with silver, putting up a good performance in the previous edition of the Nations Cup.

The Greenshirts are going into this year’s competition with a strong momentum and high expectations and are considered one of the favourites for the title.

The following players have been selected to represent Pakistan in the tournament: Squad – Pakistan National Men’s Team: Abdul Zaheer, Afaq Khan, Ahmad Mustafa Khan, Muhammad Yaseen, Fahad Raza, Hamid Yazman, Ahmed Nazir, Muhammad Kashif Naveed, Murad Jehan, Murad Khan, Musawer Khan, Nasir Ali, Usman Faryad Ali and Salman Khan

Team Officials: Imdad Ullah Memon (Team Manager)

Farrakh Hafeez Butt (Administrative Manager)

Rahman Mohammadirad (Head Coach)

Ehsan Iqbal (Assistant Coach)

Davoud Moghbeli (Assistant Coach)