By Staff Reporter
Ahmedabad: The Qatar men’s national basketball team launched the third window of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 on a winning note, defeating hosts India 65-56 at Veer Savarkar Hall in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening.
The victory in Group D, which also features Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, showcased Qatar’s resilience as they overcame an early deficit to secure a vital two-point triumph on the road. This result marks Qatar’s second consecutive win against India, following their dominant 99-73 victory in Doha earlier in the campaign.
India started the contest strongly in front of their home crowd, claiming the first quarter 12-7 and maintaining momentum with an 18-15 edge in the second. However, Qatar adjusted effectively during halftime, dominating the third quarter 20-14 and then delivering a decisive 23-12 fourth quarter to seal the win.
Abdulrahman Saad led all scorers with an impressive 24 points for Qatar, providing the offensive spark needed in crucial moments. For India, Pranav Prince top-scored with 13 points in a game where the hosts struggled to maintain consistency against Qatar’s improved defence and finishing.
With the win, Qatar improved their standing to 8 points in the group. India, yet to register a victory after five matches, remained on 5 points. The result underscores Qatar’s competitive edge in the qualifiers, especially after a mixed start that included a narrow 75-74 home loss to Lebanon, followed by a gritty 86-83 away victory over the same opponent. Qatar’s most recent outing before this window saw them fall 80-86 to Saudi Arabia in Doha.
Qatar, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia have already advanced to the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the FIBA World Cup Qatar 2027, highlighting the strength of the group. The upcoming fixtures will be critical as teams battle for favourable positioning.
The Qatari delegation is in India under the leadership of Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams. He is assisted by Team Manager Jassim Ibrahim Ashkanani and Assistant Manager Nabil Jumaa. The squad is guided by experienced Turkish head coach Hakan Demir, supported by assistants Cengiz Karadağ, Miroje Mimetich, and Abdou Sow. Fitness preparation is overseen by Mohamed Vural, while the medical team comprises Dr. Adel Harmiyeh, Dr. Adel Salim, and Nikasio Sagaino.
The 12-player roster features a strong mix of local talent and experienced campaigners: Abdulrahman Saad, Mostafa Fouda, Omar Saad, Zeineddine Badr, Mohamed Hashem, Mostafa Nado, Babacar Dieng, Ousmane Dieng, Aladji Bobo Magassa, Alen Hadzibegovic, Donte Grantham, and Mahmoud Darwish. This blend has been instrumental in Qatar’s qualifying campaign so far.
Following the match in Ahmedabad, the team will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for an important away fixture against Saudi Arabia on July 5, 2026. The coaching staff and players will focus on recovery and tactical preparation to maintain their positive momentum in the qualifiers.
This victory not only boosts Qatar’s points tally but also builds confidence as the team continues its journey towards the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027. The Qatar Basketball Federation remains committed to supporting the national team in achieving strong performances on the continental stage, reflecting the nation’s growing stature in international basketball.
