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.
- Sports news -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 takingplace at the M bank arena and the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 31 toSeptember 7, 2025.
