Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan coach names Mohammad Nawaz as best spinner in world cricket, draws battle lines ahead of India clash

Published - 12 Sept 2025, 10:07 IST | Updated - 12 Sept 2025, 10:32 IST

The mind games have already started ahead of the high-voltage encounter between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup. The two arch-rivals will collide at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.

Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson branded Mohammad Nawaz as the best spinner at the moment in world cricket. Since returning to the T20I team in July, Nawaz has been in sensational form under Hesson. The left-arm spinner, who was dropped for the T20 World Cup last year, has been an epitome of consistency, picking up 20 wickets in 11 matches. He bagged a five-for, including a hat-trick, against Afghanistan in the recently concluded tri-series final in Sharjah.

"I guess the beauty of our side is we've got five spinners. We've got Mohamed Nawaz, who's the best spin bowler in the world at the moment, and he's been ranked that way over the last six months since he's come back on the side," Hesson told the press when asked if Sunday's match would be decided by the battle of the spinners.

"And obviously, we have Abrar and Sufiyan. Saim Ayub is now in the top 10 all-rounders in the world. And Salman Ali Agha has hardly bowled, and he's also the Test spinner for Pakistan. So, you know, we've got a lot of spin bowling options, if we think conditions suit that," Hesson added.

While Pakistan have a strong spin-bowling unit, India also have a potent trio of Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel in their ranks.

Hesson expressed his excitement as he prepares to get a taste of the iconic India-Pakistan rivalry firsthand. While he acknowledged the importance of the occasion, he said that it is important for his team to stay in the moment instead of thinking too far ahead of themselves.

Everyone needs to stay focused against India: Hesson

"Look, I have certainly watched many games from afar with other teams or while commentating. Being right among such a highly-charged event is going to be exciting. From my perspective, whether you play a final of a world event or a game of such magnitude, it’s about keeping everyone focused on the job at hand. That will be no different this weekend," Hesson said.

We know India are obviously hugely confident, and rightfully so, in terms of how they have played. We are focused on improving as a team, day-by-day. We are not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We are very well aware of the enormity of the task ahead. I am certainly looking forward to it," he added.