Mike Hesson, head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, has expressed his intention to put pressure on India during a potential matchup at the 2026 Asian Games. Hesson acknowledged the current dominance of Team India in white-ball cricket, recognizing them as the benchmark in the format. His comments reflect a strategic mindset as Pakistan prepares for the upcoming competition.
Notably, India have won their last six T20Is against Pakistan, including three meetings at the 2025 Asia Cup. India also arrive as back-to-back T20 World Cup winners and defending Asian Games champions, with a full-strength squad. Pakistan, by contrast, are sending a younger, largely second-string group led by opener Sahibzada Farhan. “India are the benchmark in terms of white-ball cricket at the moment. “We are preparing as best as we can and if we get an opportunity to play (India), we will certainly put them under pressure as we were able to do in the final of the Asia Cup. There is a lot of cricket to be played between now and before being able to play the final for both sides, so we are not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” he added.
I think the challenge for Pakistan is to catch up with them in white-ball cricket,” Hesson said on Wednesday.
Quarter-Finals Set for India and Pakistan
India and Pakistan have both secured direct entry into the quarter-finals of the ICC T20 tournament due to their high rankings. This setup raises the possibility of a crucial match between the two teams in the medal rounds. In this knockout format, a single misstep can end a team’s chances of medaling, underscoring the importance of strategy as emphasized by coach Hesson.
On September 28, Pakistan will face the runners-up from Group B, while India will compete against the second-placed team from Group A. A potential clash between the two rivals can only occur in the gold-medal match or the bronze-medal playoff.
Hesson views this tournament as an opportunity for emerging players to shine and for captain Farhan to gain valuable leadership experience. However, he has made it clear that the team’s immediate focus is on winning the quarter-final, rather than looking ahead to a potential matchup with India.
Sahibzada Farhan Set for Leadership Development at Asian Games
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has indicated that the upcoming Asian Games will be a significant opportunity for Sahibzada Farhan, aimed at enhancing his leadership skills. Hesson emphasized that the team has engaged in rigorous training to prepare for the diverse pitches and playing conditions they will encounter during the tournament.
