Hesson says Pakistan will pressure India if they meet at Asian Games
Pakistan's coach backs his young squad to challenge India despite a six-game losing streak in T20s.
What to know
- Pakistan's coach Mike Hesson says his young, second-string squad can pressure India in the Asian Games medal rounds, citing a tight Asia Cup final as evidence despite India's six-match winning streak in T20s.
- India and Pakistan are on opposite sides of the tournament draw and can only meet in the gold-medal match or bronze-medal playoff on October 3 if both advance through early rounds.
- Pakistan is fielding a team without star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, with opening batter Sahibzada Farhan as captain in a development role.
- Hesson defends Pakistan's T20 performance, noting the side ranks third or fourth in win percentage over 15 months and has climbed from eighth to fifth in global T20 rankings since his appointment.
“There's a lot of cricket to be played between now and being able to play in a final for both sides. So we're not getting too far ahead of ourselves.”
Mike Hesson, Pakistan all-format coach · Dawn ↗
Mike Hesson Pakistan all-format coachSahibzada Farhan Pakistan opening batter and Asian Games captainIndia men's cricket team Regional rival
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles
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Hesson defends Pakistan T20 performance and broader squad quality
Hesson countered suggestions of decline, noting Pakistan's T20 side ranks third or fourth in win percentage over the past 15 months and has climbed from eighth to fifth in the T20 rankings since he took charge. He said the squad remains 'balanced and aggressive' and the Asian Games provide a platform for young players despite the absence of established names.
“From a T20 perspective, the performance of the T20 side over the last 15 months has been around about the third- or fourth-best team in the world, in terms of win percentage.”
— Mike Hesson -
7 outlets Pakistan Coach Hesson Ahead of Asian Games: India Is the Benchmark | First Sports With Rupha Ramani
first by Firstpost, 5d ago · also Dawn, Rediff, The Times of India, Yahoo Sports, ICC, Indian Express
7 more headlines
- Hesson says Pakistan preparing for possible India clash at Asian Games Dawn · 5d ago
- Pakistan coach Mike Hesson eyes India challenge at Asian Games Rediff · 5d ago
- 'Like we did in the Asia Cup': Pakistan to put India 'under pressure' in Asian Games, says Mike Hesson The Times of India · 5d ago
- 'Challenge is to catch up to them': Mike Hesson praises India white-ball team as Pakistan prepare for marquee clash in Asian Games Yahoo Sports · 5d ago
- Pakistan cricket coach Hesson has high hopes for young team at the Asian Games Yahoo Sports · 5d ago
- Hesson has big aspirations for Pakistan at Asian Games ICC · 5d ago
- Hesson says Pakistan will put pressure on India if two rivals meet in Asian Games Indian Express · 5d ago
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Pakistan squad features second-string players and new captain — Hesson confirmed Pakistan is fielding a second-string squad without key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan will captain the team, an appointment Hesson framed as a development opportunity rather than a long-term leadership decision. Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim replaced Salman Mirza, who has a fractured left thumb.
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Hesson says Pakistan can pressure India, citing Asia Cup final — Hesson pointed to Pakistan's tight final against India at the 2025 Asia Cup as proof his side can compete, despite India's six-match winning streak in T20s. He said if Pakistan faces India, they will 'certainly put them under pressure, like we were able to in the final of the Asia Cup.'
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Hesson previews Pakistan squad for Asian Games T20 tournament — Pakistan's all-format coach Mike Hesson addressed reporters at a pre-departure training camp in Karachi, saying the team is preparing for a possible clash with India in the medal rounds. He noted that India and Pakistan cannot meet until the finals or bronze-medal match on October 3, and emphasized there is 'plenty of cricket to be played' before any India matchup.