Pakistan stuns defending champions Qatar to qualify for final of AVC Nations Cup

Pakistan on Monday stunned defending champions Qatar 3-0 in the semi-finals to blast their way into the AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup final.

This was a resounding win in Bahrain's capital Manama from Murad Jehan’s side who also led the team from the front to ensure a commanding win.

Pakistan, who had defeated Indonesia in the quarter-finals the other day, played with immense confidence keeping a much better-ranked side at bay in the entire game.

Pakistan's defense, reception and attack were exemplary and the major players, who were seen a bit uncomfortable in the previous games, were seen in their fine element under Iranian coach Rahman Mohammadirad who kept motivating his charges persistently in the hot contest as Qatar also showcased top game but were unable to defeat the spirited Green-shirts.

The set score remained 25-22, 25-22 and 25-21.

Qatar had defeated Pakistan in straight sets in the CAVA Cup final last year. The win comes at a crucial time since Mohammadirad has been anxious for his family due to war between Iran and Israel.

"It was a big win," Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqub told Nukta.

Yaqub was happy with the achievement of his charges who a few days ago failed to showcase their real talent and had finished third in the CAVA Nations League in Uzbekistan.

"Today the entire brigade played fearless volleyball. We had motivated the boys ahead of the pre-final, advising them to play fearless game without thinking about the result and they did it to make us proud," Yaqub said.

"Today we delivered in reception, block and attack and the boys kept top effort right from the start until the end and if we also win final it will be a history," said Yaqub, also a former IG.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Aimal Khan also lauded the way the team put up a fine display.

"The team played like a unit and it clicked at a major stage and it's encouraging," Aimal told this correspondent.

"Today skipper Murad Jehan led from the front. He had been criticized in the previous games by the critics who had also questioned his captaincy but today he showed that he is a good leader and can lead from the front. Usman Shani also played brilliantly. Our service, attack and block had been exceptional. Beating Qatar is extremely welcome sign for Pakistan volleyball and it has created hopes that we can go a long way," said Aimal, who has been playing professional league in various countries for the last several years.

Bahrain were scheduled to face Korea in the second semi-final tonight.

"We have not played a game against Bahrain since long but we have beaten Korea in our previous game we played against them and we have a good chance to win the title," Aimal said.

"The body language of the players was too impressive against Qatar and it was seen before the game that they had come for a purpose and the result is highly encouraging," said Aimal who has missed the last two events.

A concerning thing for Pakistan before the final will be the fitness of Murad Khan Wazir, one of the star players in the event, who suffered an ankle injury during the match against Qatar. He was taken to the hospital and the team management is currently awaiting his medical reports to assess the nature of the injury.