FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers: India go down to lower-ranked Qatar at home

The Indian men’s basketball team are still winless and at the bottom of Group E.

Indian men’s basketball team went down to Qatar in their first match of their home leg at the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. India lost 53-69 against Qatar at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, leaving them as the only without a win in Group E. Tyler Lee Harris was Qatar’s joint top-scorer and most efficient player, with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

For India, Pranav Prince starred with 13 points and 10 rebounds albeit in a loss. India are still at the bottom winless after three matches.

#FIBAAsiaCupQualifiers | Indian men's #basketball team go down against Qatar at home in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers!! 🇮🇳 🇶🇦3rd consecutive loss for India in the group. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/rZbwBywx2j

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) November 22, 2024

India started out well with their defensive intensity getting two blocks early, Amjyot set the tone offensively by making the first shot three pointer. Captain Muin Bek Hafeez continued the streak to get 12-9 lead in the first five minutes of the game. The team created more shots off assists and trapped the ball-handlers to get more steals. Qatar’s late run gave them a 3-point lead ending the quarter with 14-17.

Muin Bek Hafeez tied it with the first shot in second quarter followed by a two and-ones for Pranav Prince. Qatar retaliated with 10-0 run for India to take a timeout and get their own 6-0 run. The away team took advantage of India’s lack of paint defense and creating mismatches. India’s weak inside defense helped Qatar recover late in the quarter.

Arvind Kumar Muthu Krishnan was an instant impact with getting two steals. Pranav Price got offensive rebounds but couldn’t convert the tip-in shots.

At the start of the 3rd quarter, the India’s shooting cooled off with 7 missed shots in the first 4 minutes. Qatar looked to hunt Pranav Prince on both sides, but the Tamil Nadu star answered back with three pointer and layup of his own.

Muthu Krishnan also looked out of luck with making only 1 shot till the third quarter. For Qatar, Mike Lewis and Babacar Dieng led the scoring charge. The game looked out hand with Qatar having a 9-point lead at the end of third quarter.

Baladhaneshwar Poiyamozhi made his first appearance at the start of fourth quarter, with a defeaning cheer from the crowd. India, however were looking for offensive injection and Bala showed why he was the MVP making his first shot with an up-and-under. India’s only bright spot of making three pointers looked like their weakness. The team couldnt’t generate steals as they looked tired.

Gill looked poor later in the game attempting only 1 shot inside the arc and scored only 3 out of 15 three pointers. Muin Bek Hafeez also cooled off and couldn’t get the basket after the first half. Indian team head coach Scott Flemming acknowledged that the team could’ve made the open shots in the third quarter was the only bleak point for the hosts.

Also Read: India vs Qatar Highlights

Hakim Demir, the Qatari coach who also led Iran during their trip to India, the game was more defensive towards the end.

India now faces Kazakhstan on 25th November at the same venue. They need to win by huge margin to keep their hopes alive for FIBA Asia Cup 2025. As per the format, top two teams will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup and the third place teams from each will fight for final four spots at the cup.

India vs Qatar best performers

India – Pranav Prince 13 points, 10 rebounds; Muin Bek Hafeez 17 points, 5/11 3PTs

Qatar – Mike Lewis 17 points, 5 rebounds; Tyler Harris 17 points, 12 rebounds

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