Asia Cup 2025: 'Have to be good enough for long enough' - Pakistan's head coach's mantra to challenge India in final

Published - 26 Sept 2025, 12:14 IST | Updated - 26 Sept 2025, 12:14 IST

Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson has elaborated on what it will take for Pakistan to challenge India in the final of Asia Cup 2025. India are scheduled to take on Pakistan for the third time in the ongoing continental tournament, as they meet in the summit clash in Dubai on Sunday, September 28.

Hesson stressed on maintaining the standard with bat or ball for an extended period of time to put the Men in Blue under pressure. He underscored the importance of putting a 'top side' like India under pressure.

"We have to be good enough for long enough to be able to put India under pressure. We were able to do it for 10 overs with the bat, maybe after powerplay with the ball in the last game. We need to do it for longer. Because there's a reason why they are rated the top side in the world. We have to put them under pressure, stated Hesson, as quoted by India Today.

Hesson complimented the manner in which Pakistan played in their second encounter against India as compared to their group-stage clash, which they lost by seven wickets. While they ended up losing the second encounter in the Super Four stage as well, Hesson conceded that Pakistan had India "by the scruff of the neck".

"Certainly not (regarding possessing a mental block). The way we played against India in the last match [Super Fours] was a huge step-up from the first game [group-stage]. We were a bit passive in the first game. We allowed India to control the game. In the last game, we had India by the scruff of the neck for a long period. It took an exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma to take the game away from us. Outside of that, we were pretty good," he added.

Shoaib Akhtar sends motivational message to Pakistan team

Notably, both of India's wins over Pakistan so far have come while chasing. Kuldeep Yadav (3/18 in 4 overs) and Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) won the Player of the Match awards for the respective group-stage and Super Four matches.