Australia Defeats Iran To Claim Asian Cup Basketball Title

Iran's Hamed Haddadi was voted most valuable player in the Asian Cup tournament. (file photo)

Australia defeated Iran 79-56 to claim the championship of the FIBA Asian Cup basketball tournament on August 20 in Beirut.

It was the first appearance for Australia in the tournament, while Iran is a three-time champion.

Iran's Hamed Haddadi was voted the most valuable player of the tournament. He scored 18 points in the final, while Arsalan Kazemi had nine points and 10 rebounds.

Iran made the finals by defeating South Korea 81-78 in the seminal match on August 19.

Kazakhstan lost all three of its tournament games, to New Zealand, Korea, and Lebanon.

Iraq beat Qatar but lost to the Philippines, China, and Jordan.

Based on reporting by AFP, Mehr News, The Tehran Times, and Fox Sports