India beat Iraq to inch closer to FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualification

The Indian men’s basketball team beat Iraq 97-77 in its first Group H match of the final FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifying tournament at the Khalifa Sports City in Bahrain on Friday. This is the final phase of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers with six third-placed teams from the earlier round of the qualifiers competing for the four remaining spots in the main tournament which will be hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this August. India are clubbed with Iraq and Bahrain in Group H meant for West Asian countries. The top two teams from each group will make the cut for the main event. Against world No. 93 Iraq, India, 81st in the FIBA men’s basketball rankings, asserted their dominance in the second quarter after a competitive opening period before pulling away decisively in the third. Muin Hafeez (189-PG-1996) was India's top-scorer with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers while also grabbing six rebounds. Pranav Prince (198-G-2003) produced an all-around performance, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Harsh Dagar (189-SG-2005) contributed 13 points as well as six assists and Arvind Krishnan chipped in with 12 points. Palpreet Singh Brar (11 points) and Arvinder Singh (205-F-2002) (10 points) also made valuable contributions off the bench. The first quarter saw an evenly contested battle as both teams traded baskets, resulting in a 30-30 tie after the opening 10 minutes. However, India took control early in the second quarter when Arvind Krishnan and Sandhu combined for five quick points, giving them a lead they would never relinquish. Heading into halftime with a 44-38 advantage, India maintained their defensive intensity and kept Iraq at bay. The third quarter proved to be the turning point as India’s Prince, Palpreet Singh Brar and Muin Hafeez combined for a 10-2 scoring run, extending their lead to 54-40 with just under six minutes left in the period. India closed out the quarter with a 32-point haul to put the game beyond Iraq’s reach and win the contest. The middle quarters, in fact, saw India score 46 points and limit Iraq to only 22, including just eight in the second frame as they led 76-57 heading into the final frame before registering a convincing victory. India will face hosts Bahrain in their final Group H clash on Saturday. A win will book their place in the FIBA Asia Cup for an 11th consecutive edition.
Courtesy of: olympics.com