ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on Australia today in the first match of a historic three-match volleyball series in Islamabad as both teams will prepare for next month’s Asian Volleyball Challenge Cup in Bahrain.
It is the first time that Australia is visiting Pakistan for an international volleyball series, making it a historic occasion. The much-anticipated series will be played at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad. The second match will be played on May 29 and the third match of the series will be held on May 30.
Pakistan will land in the middle with high confidence following their recent title victory in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship being played at the same venue earlier this month.’
Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob said, all matches will start from 6:30 PM and entry of the fans and supporters is free.
READ MORE: Pakistan outplay Turkmenistan to clinch Central Asian Volleyball Championship title
Addressing the pre-match press conference on Monday, Australia head coach Daniel Ilott expressed excitement on behalf of his players about playing against the hosts.
The Sarsabz Volleyball Series 2024 Pakistan Australia Powered by Allied Bank starts tomorrow!
28th – 29th – 30th May
⏰ 6:30 PM
Liaquat Gymnasium, Islamabad #PAKvAUS #SarsabzVolleyballSeries2024 #Smashdown2024 pic.twitter.com/y07YPNnxbb— Pakistan Volleyball Federation (@PVF_Official) May 27, 2024
Ilott praised Pakistan’s show in the Central Asian Volleyball Championship, observing that the team had improved gradually over the passage of time. He said that the series would help Australia acclimatize ahead of the Challenge Cup, which will be held in Bahrain.
Pakistan captain Murad Jehan said his team was wary of what Australia brings to the court, but added that the hosts felt confident about putting up a good show against a well-established unit, while also keeping the Challenge Cup in mind.
Pakistan-Australia volleyball Squads
Pakistan: Murad Jehan (captain), Kashif Naveed (deputy-captain), Waleed Khan, Murad Khan, Aimal Khan, Usman Faryad Ali, Fakharuddin, Afaq Khan, Abdul Zaheer, Musawer Khan, Mohammad Hamad, Haider Ali, Nasir Ali
Australia: Nehemiah Mote (captain), Luke Perry, Arshdeep Dosanjh, Jackson Holland, Trent O’dea, Matthew Aubrey, Max Senica, Beau Graham, Thomas Heptinstall, Sam Flowerday, Nicholas Butler, Ethan Garrett, William D’arcy Miles, Jacob Baird.