Kolkata, Sep 20 (IANS): Hosts India carved out an emphatic straight sets win over a lacklustre Pakistan to romp into the finals of the third Asian Senior Men's Volleyball Championships (Central Zone) here Sunday.
The hosts outclassed their arch-rivals in all departments - be it serving, blocking or smashing - on way to a 25-17, 25-15 and 25-22 scoreline in their final league game to set up a title clash with favourites Iran Monday.
India had gone down to Iran in their second league match Saturday.
Playing before a small but lively crowd of supporters at the Netaji Indoor stadium, the Indians seized the initiative from the start, advancing to a quick 9-3 lead and maintained the margin to pocket the maiden set.
The second game saw the Pakistani spikers putting up initial resistance, before the home side marched ahead and made the scoreline 2-0.
The Indians retained the momentum in the next set and raced to a seven-point lead at 20-13, before overcoming a late challenge from the neighbouring nation to close the tie in 82 minutes.
The Indians were well served by their key player Gurchand Singh, who had to sit out the first two ties due to an injury.
In an earlier match, championship contenders Iran blanked Kazakistan 25-20, 25-10 and 25-19, to finish atop the league table with an all-win record.