Pakistan off to winning start in AVC Cup

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan started the AVC Nations Cup Volleyball 2025 on a winning note defeating Philippines 3-1 in the opening match in Bahrain Tuesday.

The Greenshirts began the match with high energy and dominance, taking the first two sets comfortably with scores of 25-18 and 25-12, thanks to clinical execution and tight defensive play.

However, Philippines bounced back in the third set, taking advantage of a few errors and winning it 25-18. Undeterred, Pakistan responded strongly in the fourth set, sealing the match with a hard-fought 25-22 win, demonstrating their resilience and teamwork.

Murad Khan’s consistent attacking and sharp finishing were crucial in crucial moments. Afaq Khan, who controlled the tempo and provided strong blocking at the net and Musawer Khan impressed with his defensive efforts and effective serves.

Pakistan are placed in Pool C alongside Chinese Taipei and Philippines. With this victory, Pakistan are in a strong position to advance to the next stage. Their next and final group match will be against Chinese Taipei on Thursday.

Speaking on the team’s performance Head Coach Rehman Mohammadi said: “The team has shown great discipline and strength. Today’s win reflects the hard work of our players, coaches, and support staff. We are hopeful for another strong performance against Chinese Taipei and urge all the fans in Pakistan to support our national heroes.”