Pakistan made a perfect start in their first-ever appearance at the FIVB Boys’ U19 Volleyball World Championship by defeating Belgium in straight sets on Thursday. The match was played in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Ranked 19th in the world, Pakistan pulled off a major upset by beating Belgium, who are ranked 7th, with a convincing 3-0 win. The set scores were 25-19, 25-17, and 25-22, giving Pakistan a dominant start to their tournament campaign.
Team captain Yahya led by example, scoring 11 points with a calm and effective performance. Saud, the middle blocker, was Pakistan’s top scorer with 13 points, including nine from attacks and four from blocks.
Pakistan outshone Belgium in every area of the game. They made 32 successful attacks, 11 blocks, and scored two points from serves, while Belgium managed 28 attacks, six blocks, and only one service point. Additionally, Pakistan gained 30 points from Belgium’s mistakes.
In terms of overall team performance, Pakistan recorded 70 digs (defensive saves), 63 receptions, and 111 set passes, showing excellent teamwork and coordination in their debut match.
Other notable performers included Jibran with seven points, Ajmal and Muhtad with five points each, and setter Abu Bakar, who added two points. Pakistan’s strong defense and control at the net played a big role in stopping Belgium’s offense.
Pakistan will now face host nation Uzbekistan in their next group match on Friday. The team hopes to continue its winning momentum and build on this historic victory.
