Head coach urges team to stay focused before Asia Cup final

Coach Mike Hesson has urged Pakistan’s team to concentrate only on cricket when they play India in the Asia Cup final.

Pakistan qualified for the Asia Cup final for the first time in history after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a tough contest in Dubai. The final will now see Pakistan face its arch-rivals India in what promises to be a high-voltage clash. Head coach Mike Hesson advised players to stay calm and avoid emotional reactions despite the tension seen in previous matches. He stressed that the team must remain consistent against India, which is ranked as the number one side in the world. According to him, if Pakistan keeps India under pressure, victory will be possible.

Earlier in the tournament, India defeated Pakistan twice—once by 7 wickets and again by 6 wickets. These matches also saw heated moments, with players refusing handshakes and making aggressive gestures. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav drew criticism for a political comment after the first match, while Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf reacted emotionally in the second game.

Reflecting on performances, Hesson said the team improved in the second match compared to the first. He noted that Pakistan controlled the game for a long period, but Abhishek Sharma’s outstanding innings turned the result. Sharma scored a fiery 74 runs off 39 balls, guiding India to chase down 172 runs with six wickets in hand.

Hesson praised the hard work of the squad, saying the players had earned their place in the final through consistent effort. He encouraged them to make the most of this historic opportunity and focus on discipline rather than emotions as they prepare for the showdown against India.