India qualify for Fiba Asia Championship

Amjyot Gill

India won the SABA Qualifying Round and booked the ticket to the 27th Fiba Asia Championship. They overcame Afghanistan 64:46 to finish their SABA Qualifying campaign with two victories in as many games. Afghanistan finished second at 1-1 record. Joginder Singh and Amjyot Singh (185-G-92) nailed 13 points each to pace the winners.
It was unexpectedly close game. India was recognized as a big time favourite heading into this one but Afghanistan gave them all they could handle before dropping the decisive one in New Delhi. AmritPal Singh (201-F-91) nailed 12 points for the home side. Mustafa Wardak answered with 15 points for Afghanistan. Billal Azizi (198-F/C-91) netted 9 points in the loss. India became the fourteenth team that had guaranteed the 27th Fiba Asia Championship appearance. The tournament is slated to start on August 1 in Manila.