Iran Too Strong for Saudi Arabia at FIBA U-16 Asia Cup 2025
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran defeated Saudi Arabia 87-43 for a triumphant start to their FIBA U-16 Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Sunday at the MBank Arena.
Four players of Coach Mohammad Sistani Badouei finished in double figures in the win, with Alireza Rashidi leading the pack with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including a trio of threes.
Rashidi himself bannered the second-quarter pullaway, scoring seven in their 10-4 run to open the chapter for a 30-19 lead with about six minutes to go. The Saudis could never cut the gap to a single digit since.
Amir Reza Azari supplied 13 points and 9 rebounds plus 3 steals. Mohammad Sale Pakgohar delivered 12 points alongside 7 rebounds, while Bardiya Khosravi chipped in 10 points in 14 minutes off the bench.
Japan also defeated Kazakhstan 107-51 in Group D.
Iran will play Kazakhstan and Japan in the following days.
The tournament is taking place at the M bank arena and the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 31 to September 7, 2025.
