Muhammad Yahya did not grow up watching television dramas or scrolling endlessly on his phone. He watched volleyball – and not just casually. The game became part of his daily routine, a habit that shaped how he sees the sport and how he plays it.

• Watch the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship on VBTV

“All I do is volleyball,” said the 17-year-old opposite from Pakistan. “Right now, the VNL is on, and I watch every match. That is how I learn and get motivated.”

For Yahya, watching the world’s best is not just entertainment – it is education. “There is so much experience you can get just from seeing how top players move, how they handle pressure,” he said.

Now he is playing at the world level to prove that Pakistan belongs.

At 1.96 meters tall with serious leaping ability, Yahya has quickly become one of the standout names for Pakistan at the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship. He scored 24 points in Pakistan’s sweep of hosts Uzbekistan – a match that tested both skill and nerve in front of a packed home crowd.

“I remember playing against them before, at the U16 level,” he said. “They had a big crowd then too, and they beat us. So, this time, we wanted to play smart, follow the game plan and take the win.”

But the numbers do not tell the whole story. Yahya’s rise reflects Pakistan’s emergence in youth volleyball from regional contenders to serious challengers. Just last year, he helped Pakistan win gold at the CAVA U18 Central Championship in Tashkent, where he was named Most Valuable Player. That run included a comeback win over Iran in the final.

He followed that with another podium finish at the 2024 Asian U18 Championship, where Pakistan took bronze, their first-ever age-group medal at the continental level. Yahya led the way with 21 points in the third-place match against Japan and was later named Best Opposite of the tournament.

“This is my first World Championship,” he said. “In the first match here, I was still adjusting because of the new lights, new gym. But after that, I found my rhythm. I understood the pace, and I knew what I had to do for the team.”

Yahya credits the progress of Pakistan volleyball to long-term planning. “Three or four years ago, we were not at this level,” he said. “Now the management is working hard, preparing players in youth, junior and senior categories. We are building strong teams, and we are proud of that.”

He also points to coaching and scouting as part of their success. “Our coaches analyze the opponents and explain everything before the match. They give us a clear plan, and we play with focus.”

His idols include Pakistan’s Murad Wazir, a veteran opposite, and Iran’s Amin Esmaeilnezhad, known for his elevation and explosive left-handed attack. “I watch how they stay calm, how they finish points. I want to learn those qualities.”

Still early in his international career, Yahya knows there is more work ahead.

“I want to play at every level for Pakistan. I want the world to see that Pakistan can compete with the best.”

Against Uzbekistan, he showed exactly that - composure, confidence and quality. For a 17-year-old, it was a moment that may have felt like a breakthrough. But for Yahya, it was simply the next step.

“We are just getting started,” he said. “And we want to go even higher.”

2025 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U19 World Championship: full schedule

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