Al Shamal and Al Arabi Defeat Al Wakrah and Al Rayyan to Reach Qatar Cup Final

Doha – April 13, 2026:
Al Shamal and Al Arabi booked their places in the final of the 13th edition of the Qatar Basketball Cup for the 2025–2026 season, after overcoming Al Wakrah and Al Rayyan respectively in the semi-final clashes held on Monday evening, April 13, 2026, at Al Gharafa Hall. The night was filled with suspense, high-level performances, and dramatic finishes right down to the final seconds.

In the first game, Al Shamal delivered a strong and cohesive performance against Al Wakrah, imposing their dominance early to secure a 71–56 victory and a well-deserved spot in the final.
Al Shamal started with clear intensity, ending the first quarter ahead 27–15 thanks to effective offense and organized defense that limited Al Wakrah’s threat. In the second quarter, Al Wakrah fought back, edging it 16–11 to keep their hopes alive before halftime.
The third quarter saw Al Shamal regain full control, finishing 17–9 to build a comfortable lead heading into the final period. The fourth quarter was evenly matched at 16–16, sealing Al Shamal’s win with a decisive margin.
Aaron Clyde Parks was Al Shamal’s standout player, topping the scorers with 20 points, while Aaron Randolph Mitchell led Al Wakrah with 16 points.

In the second semi-final, Al Arabi clinched qualification in dramatic fashion, defeating Al Rayyan 104–103 after overtime in one of the most thrilling encounters of the season.
The game swung back and forth: Al Rayyan narrowly took the first quarter 25–24, Al Arabi responded in the second 25–23, before Al Rayyan regained the lead in the third 22–18. Al Arabi then won the fourth 25–22, forcing overtime at 92–92.
In the extra period, Al Arabi edged out Al Rayyan 12–11, sealing the win by a single point in a tense finale.
Elmedin Kikanovic starred for Al Arabi with 29 points, while Malik Romero Carey led Al Rayyan with 27 points, in a contest that showcased both individual brilliance and collective intensity.

The four teams had advanced to the semi-finals after successful quarter-final performances: Al Wakrah beat Qatar Club 86–73, Al Shamal overcame Al Gharafa 99–78, Al Arabi defeated Al Sadd 81–65, and Al Rayyan triumphed over Al Khor 70–47.

The final is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2026, where Al Shamal and Al Arabi will battle for the title of the 13th edition of the tournament.
The showdown carries historic significance, with both teams eager to lift the trophy. Al Gharafa and Al Arabi currently share the record for most titles with four each, while Al Rayyan, Al Wakrah, and Al Sadd have each won once, adding further competitive value to the upcoming clash.