The Indian men’s basketball team lost 69-53 to Qatar in their third Group E match of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers 2025 in Chennai, marking their third consecutive defeat and hurting their chances for direct qualification. Only the top two teams from the group will advance, while the third will enter a separate qualifying tournament.
India, ranked 76th, started strong with a 12-9 lead, thanks to three-pointers from Muin Bek Hafeez, Amjyot Singh, and Sahaij Pratap Singh Sekhon. However, Qatar, ranked 101st, took control and led 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. India managed to tie the game at 31-31 before halftime, but Qatar pulled ahead to lead by five at the break.
The third quarter was tough for India, as Qatar extended their lead to 46-31, ending the quarter at 50-39. Qatar secured their victory with a final quarter score of 19-14. Hafeez led India with 17 points, while Pranav Prince added 13. Tyler James Lee Harris was Qatar’s top scorer with 17 points.
India will next face Kazakhstan on Monday, followed by matches against Iran and Qatar in February to conclude their qualifiers.
Ranzi Sports 
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