Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 26, 2025 — The Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium crackled with energy on Sunday as Day 5 of the CAVA Cup for Men 2025 served up high-octane volleyball action and edge-of-the-seat drama. With the competition entering its decisive phase, every rally mattered, and every point drew roars from the passionate crowd.
Afghanistan opened proceedings with a show of intent. Taking on Nepal, they hit the ground running and never looked back.
Sabawoon Wardak and Ghulamrasool Haidari spearheaded a ruthless assault, combining power and precision to keep their opponents on the back foot. Setter Safiullah Noori orchestrated the play masterfully, varying his sets and dismantling Nepal’s rhythm.
Despite spirited resistance from Dhan Bahadur Bhatta and Pahal Gahatraj, Nepal couldn’t stop the Afghan onslaught. Afghanistan wrapped up a commanding straight-set victory, 25–18, 25–17, 25–21 — their second win of the tournament and a timely confidence booster heading into the home stretch.
In the afternoon clash, Sri Lanka put on a display of tactical brilliance against Maldives. Deepthi Ranawaka and Akindu Subasingha were firing on all cylinders, slicing through the defense with blistering pace and pinpoint accuracy.
Setter Ayesh Fernando kept the Maldivian blockers guessing with his clever distribution, while Razzan Hussain and Huzaam Ali tried valiantly to turn the tide. But Sri Lanka were simply a cut above, sealing a clinical 3–0 (25–21, 27–25, 25–18) victory to keep their campaign alive and kicking.
Then came the main event – Turkmenistan versus Bangladesh, a showdown that had the feel of a championship final. With both teams unbeaten, the atmosphere was electric, the stakes sky-high.
Turkmenistan snatched the opening set by the narrowest of margins, 26–24, before Bangladesh roared back in the second, spurred on by the explosive pairing of Ratul Ahmed and Horosit Biswas.
The third and fourth sets turned into a tug-of-war, neither side willing to yield an inch. That set the stage for a fifth set that will be remembered for years to come — pure theatre from start to finish.
Locked at 14–14, every rally was a test of nerve. Turkmenistan’s Didar Nuryyev and Bayramgeldi Veyisov stood tall when it mattered most, delivering two clutch points that stunned the home crowd and sealed an epic 16–14 decider. Turkmenistan triumphed 3–2 (26–24, 17–25, 25–21, 20–25, 16–14), preserving their unbeaten run and moving a step closer to the title, while Bangladesh’s gallant fight earned heartfelt applause from all sides of the arena.
As the dust settled, the leaderboard took on a new shape:
Turkmenistan sit on top with 11 points, followed by Bangladesh on 8. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are neck and neck with 7 and 6 points respectively, Nepal trail with 4, and Maldives continue their search for a breakthrough win.
With Day 6 looming large, the race for the crown is heating up. Sri Lanka face Nepal in a battle for position, Turkmenistan test their mettle against Maldives, and Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in a do-or-die clash to keep their title hopes alive.
The CAVA Cup for Men 2025 is entering its final act — and Dhaka is bracing for more heart-stopping volleyball ahead.
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