Turkmenistan's winning streak rolled on in style as it notched the third consecutive victory at the CAVA Cup Men's Volleyball Championship 2025, outclassing Afghanistan 3-1 in a gripping four-set duel at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium in Mirpur on Friday.
The Central Asian giants, displaying composure and clinical finishing, prevailed 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16 to cement its place as early favourites for the title.
Afghanistan, however, refused to be mere spectator. After dropping the opening set, it mounted a spirited comeback to snatch the second 25-23, showing grit and determination. But Turkmenistan, led by its experienced hitters, soon restored order. Its blocking discipline and sharp cross-court attacks proved too hot to handle as it closed out the next two sets with authority. The victory, the third on the bounce, underlined Turkmenistan's growing dominance and tournament pedigree.
In the day's other fixture, Nepal made light work of the Maldives, cruising to a straight-sets win (25-21, 25-23, 25-18). Though the islanders showed flashes of resistance in the second set, Nepal's superior coordination and court awareness saw them home in convincing fashion.
With the competition heating up, the six-nation CAVA Cup, featuring Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, continues to serve up enthralling battles and rising rivalries.
The tournament follows a round-robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the grand finale on 28 October, while the next two will contest for bronze. The fifth and sixth-placed teams will vie for pride in a classification match.
