Pakistan demolish India to storm into volleyball semis

Murad Khan plays a key role in Green-shirts' inspiring triumph

Pakistan swept arch-rivals India 3-0 on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Games men’s volleyball competition and end their opponents’ unbeaten run.

Pakistan won 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium to beat India at the Asian Games for the second successive edition.

Murad Khan led the way with a match-high 22 points, while Usman Faryad Ali added nine and Mohammad Hamad eight.

Pakistan, ranked 39th in the world compared with India’s 49th, had beaten Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the pool stage before losing to hosts Japan to finish runners-up in Pool A.

India entered the quarter-final unbeaten after straight-set wins over Vietnam and Hong Kong and a five-set victory over Qatar.

Pakistan set the pace from the outset, taking the opening set 25-19 in 23 minutes as India struggled to contain their attack.

The second set proved more closely fought. India opened a 16-13 lead before Pakistan fought back to level at 16-16.

India again moved three points clear at 19-16, but Pakistan responded with another three-point run to draw level before taking control.

Pakistan reached set point at 24-22. India saved one, but Pakistan converted the next opportunity to take the set 25-23 after 34 minutes.

Pakistan then dominated the third set, opening a 14-9 lead before extending it to 17-10.

India saved two match points at 24-16, but Pakistan closed out the match on their third opportunity, winning the set 25-18 in 25 minutes.

The victory keeps Pakistan’s medal hopes alive as they advance to the semi-finals.