Pakistan beat India 3-0 to reach Asian Games volleyball semi-finals

Pakistan defeated arch-rivals India 3-0 in the men’s volleyball quarter-final at the 2026 Asian Games to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

The match was played at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Japan, where Pakistan dominated across all three sets, winning 25-19, 25-23 and 25-18.

Murad Khan was Pakistan’s standout performer, finishing as the match’s top scorer with 22 points. Usman Faryad Ali contributed nine points, while Muhammad Hamad and Musawir Khan added eight and seven points, respectively. Captain Murad Jahan also scored four points.

Pakistan dominate opening set

Pakistan started aggressively and kept India under pressure from the outset, taking the opening set 25-19 in 23 minutes.

Pakistan recorded a 70% attack success rate in the first set, compared with 41% for India, as the national side established early control.

India fight back in second set

The second set produced a much closer contest, with the score level at 9-9 before Pakistan briefly moved ahead.

India responded to take a 16-13 lead, but Pakistan fought back with three consecutive points to level the score at 16-16.

India again moved ahead at 19-16, only for Pakistan to recover and make it 19-19. Pakistan then took a 21-19 lead and maintained its advantage despite India’s late resistance.

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

Pakistan’s improved reception and defensive play helped sustain longer rallies and forced India into errors.

Pakistan seal victory in third set

Pakistan maintained its momentum in the third set, establishing an early 3-0 lead.

India narrowed the gap to 3-2 and later 6-4, but Pakistan responded strongly to move ahead 8-4. The lead was extended to 14-9 and then 17-10 as Pakistan continued to dominate at the net and in defence.

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

Players from both teams shook hands at the net following the match.

The victory marked Pakistan’s second consecutive Asian Games win over India and ended India’s campaign in the tournament.

Pakistan’s route to the quarter-final

Pakistan had earlier defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 and Uzbekistan 3-0 in the group stage before losing 0-3 to hosts Japan in their final Pool A match. Pakistan finished second in the group to advance to the knockout stage.

India, meanwhile, entered the knockout phase unbeaten after defeating Vietnam and Hong Kong 3-0 and overcoming Qatar in a five-set match lasting more than three hours to finish top of Pool C.

Federation officials congratulate team

Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob, a retired Inspector General of Police, congratulated the national team and the people of Pakistan on the historic victory.

Federation President Sohail Khawar Mir also congratulated the team and the nation on Pakistan’s landmark achievement.

Pakistan’s victory guarantees the team a place in the Asian Games semi-finals, marking a historic milestone for the country’s volleyball programme.