![Mike Hesson warns India ahead of Asia Cup final [Source: @dhillow_, @ImMustafa27/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1758858363501_Mike_Hesson_India_Pakistan_Asia_Cup_2025(1).jpg?type=hq)
Mike Hesson warns India ahead of Asia Cup final [Source: @dhillow_, @ImMustafa27/X.com]
The stage is set for another India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai. Ahead of the showdown, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson has issued a stern message to his players to forget the drama, focus on cricket, and find a way to put India under pressure.
Hesson’s words come at a time when tensions between the two sides are already running high. Their previous two meetings in this tournament had been drama-filled, ranging from gestures that were contentious to players not shaking hands.
India dominated both matches, winning the Group A clash by 7 wickets and the Super Four game by 6 wickets.
Mike Hesson urges Pakistan to flip the script vs India
With a 7-match winning streak across formats against Pakistan since 2022, India have clearly been in command. But head coach Mike Hesson, talking to reporters, said he believes Pakistan has shown signs of improvement.
"I think the way we played against India in the last match was a huge step up from the first game. The first game was a bit passive; we allowed India to control the game. The last match we had that game by the scruff of the neck for long periods, and it took an exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma that took the game away from us,” Hesson said.
In the first game, they were restricted to just 127-9, which India easily chased down. However, in the second match, Pakistan posted a far more competitive total of 172. For long periods, they looked in control before Abhishek Sharma’s match-winning 74 off 39 balls swung the game India’s way.
The coach also reminded his squad that this is a historic opportunity: Pakistan have reached their first-ever Asia Cup final against India.
"We have to be good enough to put India under pressure for longer because there is a reason why they are ranked the top side in the world. We have to put them under pressure, and that will be our challenge. We have deserved this opportunity, so it’s now up to us to make the most of it. We have been trying to be in a position to win the trophy," he added.
Mike Hesson responds to Pakistan players’ provocative gestures
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has urged his players to stay away from unnecessary gestures and controversies. Speaking to reporters, Hesson said that such actions only distract from the real contest and could hurt the team’s focus.
"Look, my message is that we are focused on the cricket and we certainly will be doing that. Those things, you probably know more about than I do. I deal with the cricket side. In terms of gestures, there is always some passion, isn’t there? In terms of when you are in high-pressure games, our focus will be on playing a good game. That’s a part of my job."
He added that the players should let their cricket do the talking, instead of responding to crowd provocation or indulging in heated celebrations.
