“That'll be no different” - Pakistan head coach makes a huge statement ahead of India clash

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has requested his players to remain focused ahead of the much-awaited clash against India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 campaign on Sunday, September 14.

This will be the first time India is locking horns with Pakistan since Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. The eight-team showpiece event has India and Pakistan in the same group.

"I guess, from my perspective, just like any time you enter a match, whether it be a final of a world event or whatever, it's about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand, and that'll be no different on the weekend," Hesson said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Furthermore, Hesson also asserted that Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is highly confident after their nine-wicket win over the hosts, the United Arab Emirates. However, he also noted that the Pakistan players are very much focused on improving as a team every day.

"We know that India is obviously hugely confident and rightfully so in terms of how well they've played. Look, I've certainly watched many games from afar, so certainly being on the other side of the fence, I guess, being right and amongst such a highly charged event is going to be exciting," Hesson added.

"We're very much focused on improving as a team, sort of day by day, and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” he concluded.

India bagged a nine-wicket win in just 4.3 overs against the UAE, continuing their dominant run since the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 triumph to 18 wins in 21 T20I games. On the other hand, Pakistan is entering the Asia Cup on the back of a tri-series title win over Afghanistan in the UAE.

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