Iran was unable to claim a victory in 2021, its first appearance in a Women's Asia Cup since 1974. In its second straight Division B campaign in Bangkok, the Iranian team claimed its first win in the competition in nearly 50 years.
Three players recorded double-digit points for Iran; Masoumeh Soudjani (13 points, 7 rebounds), Negin Rasoulipour (11 points), and Sheida Shojaeikohnehshahri (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals).
For Malaysia, Fook Yee Yap added 9 rebounds on top of her 28 points in the entire game.
Iran will play Mongolia and Indonesia in Group A on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.