FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers: India start campaign with defeat against Saudi Arabia

The opening day defeat leaves India at the bottom of Group D for now.

Perennial continental contenders took the spotlight after acing their respective tests to start things off in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers‘ opening window, Thursday night.

Iran raised the curtains of Window 1 with a dominant 94-68 conquest of Iraq as they turned the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut into their own playground after knocking down a total of 19 three-pointers.

Sina Vahedi led the way with 21 points. The returning Behnam Yakhchali fired 19 points while Matin Aghajanpour made 15 as five players finished in twin digits, with the same quintet hitting at least three treys each.

Also Read: FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers: Full schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

The 19 triples they finished with are now the third-most made by a team in a single game of the Asian Qualifiers. The record is 21 which was set by Australia against Qatar back in 2018.

Meanwhile, both Jordan and Saudi Arabia were dominant in their own games. The Falcons dealt Syria a 74-59 beatdown at the Prince Hamza Hall, as the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 hosts crushed India, 75-51, in Riyadh.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FIBA Basketball World Cup (@fibawc)

Jalen Harris made a good account of himself in his debut as he finished with 22 points to lead Jordan. Ahmad Al-Dwairi delivered 18 points and 10 rebounds, with Freddy Ibrahim registering a 13-9-5 stat line.

Saudi arabia were led by Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. Mo Alsuwailem (16 points), Musab Kadi (13 points), and Marzouq Almuwallad (12 points) came through with solid games as well.

Ultimately, Youssef Khayat showed how bright the future could be for Lebanon as the young winger came through in the clutch to help carve out a 75-74 victory against Qatar at the Lusail Arena in Doha.

The 22-year-old showed maturity beyond his years, attacking the middle before banking in a tough leaner to erase a 73-72 deficit with 14.7 seconds left to play to make sure that their crucial stop would lead to a bucket.

Another stop on the other end against the World Cup hosts would be enough for the Cedars to escape the upset axe and they have no one to thank but Khayat, who finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

With his endgame guts, the efforts of guys like Ali Haidar and Wael Arakji in lifting themselves back from a 68-63 deficit were preserved, giving Ahmad Farran as well a triumphant debut as the program’s new head coach.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram