BEIRUT (Dispatches) - 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.
***Iran national basketball team lost to Australia 79-56 in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 final match on Sunday.