Defending champion India [ Images ] and challengers Pakistan stayed on course for a final showdown as they won their respective league encounters with ease in the volleyball championship of the 9th SAF Games in Islamabad [ Images ] on Thursday.

The Indian spikers had no problem in thrashing Bangladesh 25-13, 25-14, 25-9 in just over 50 minutes to register their third win in Group A.

India now play Sri Lanka [ Images ] for a berth in the final.

In Group B, Pakistan got past Sri Lanka 25-19, 25-18, 25-18 and will face Bangladesh in the Friday's semi-finals.