Mike Hesson, the head coach of Pakistan, has provided more details on what Pakistan would need to do to compete against India in the 2025 Asia Cup final.
On Sunday, September 28, India and Pakistan will play their third match in the current continental competition when they meet in a summit match in Dubai.
In order to put pressure on the Men in Blue, Mike Hesson emphasised the importance of consistently performing at a high level with the bat or the ball. He emphasised the significance of applying pressure to a “top side” like India.
“We must continue to do well enough to exert pressure on India. Perhaps following a powerplay with the ball in the previous game, we managed to accomplish it for ten overs with the bat. We must continue doing it. Because they are regarded as the best side in the world for a reason. According to India Today, Mike Hesson said, “We have to put them under pressure.”
In contrast to their group-stage match against India, which they lost by seven wickets, Hesson praised the way Pakistan played in their second meeting with the Indians. Mike Hesson acknowledged that India was “by the scruff of the neck” with Pakistan, even though they lost the second match in the Super Four stage as well.
“Definitely not in terms of having a mental block. Compared to the first game [group-stage], our performance versus India in the most recent match [Super Fours] was a significant improvement. In the first game, we were a little too passive. We let India dominate the match. We held India by the scruff of the neck for a considerable amount of time in the most recent game. Abhishek Sharma’s outstanding innings was necessary to cost us the game. We did fairly well outside of that,” he continued.
Interestingly, India has defeated Pakistan twice so far while pursuing. Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/18 in 4 overs) were named Player of the Match for their respective Super Four and group-stage matches.
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