Asian Cup A Big Test for Iran: FIBA

The competition will be held in Beirut, Lebanon from August 8 to 20. The Iranian national team has been drawn along with India, Syria and Jordan in Group A.

Team Melli will bring an imposing, experienced and highly skilled frontline to Beirut that's led by maybe the most intimidating player in the tournament, Hamed Haddadi. The one-time CBA champion center may not be 100% when he plays at the Asia Cup, but playing alongside him are veterans Arsalan Kazemi, Oshin Sahakian and Rouzbeh Arghavan.

 All three are strong and relentless inside operators, and they give coach Mehran Hatami a terrific rotation at the 4 and 5 positions, FIBA.org reported.

Iran finished a "disappointing" third place in 2015 - disappointing because they have been so synonymous and used to success at the continental level. For the first time in a decade, though, Team Melli will be without icons Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Mahdi Kamrani, and this is a sign of the new generation beginning to take over for the national team.

This entire competition is going to be a big test for Iran, but at least for the first round, they remain very strong favorites to top their group.