Pakistan blank Australia to take unassailable lead in volleyball series

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan defeated Australia 3-0 in the second match of the series to win the Sarsabz Volleyball Series at Liaquat Gymnasium of the Pakistan Sports Complex here on Wednesday.

The hosts, who had clinched the three-match series opener on Tuesday, continued with their impressive show to bag the series.

Pakistan after a close and exciting contest seized the first set 26-24. Maintaining the momentum, the home side took the second set 25-19.

Australia, however, displayed a spirited fight in the third set before losing it 25-23 to give the hosts series victory.

The last match of the series will be played at the same venue on Thursday.

Pakistan in the second match tested their bench strength as four main players — including skipper Murad Jehan, Usman Farhad, Kashif Naveed and Musawar Khan — did not participate.

“We are very happy. Beating Australia, which is one of the best teams, is something very special for us. Today, myself and three other senior players opted not to play as we wanted to give chance to bench strength and they [new players] performed brilliantly,” Murad told Dawn after Pakistan’s victory in the series.

The skipper said that after winning the recently-held Central Asian event featuring teams from six countries followed by this series win against Australia had boosted the morale of the national team, which would help the players do well in the AVC Challenge Cup being held in Bahrain from June 2.

“[Presently] our team is very balanced and in good form. Therefore, I am optimistic that we will play the AVC Challenge Cup final,” Murad said adding that the team will make every effort to win the last match of the Australia series.