Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has thrown his full backing behind his squad ahead of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against India, declaring that the team has \u201cearned the right\u201d to fight for the title despite recent inconsistencies on the field and turbulence off it. After a dramatic comeback win over Bangladesh in the Super Four a clash widely seen as a virtual semi-final Pakistan sealed their place in Sunday\u2019s showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It marks the first-ever Pakistan-India final in the history of the Asia Cup, which began in 1984. Yet, the build-up to the finale has been clouded by an ICC disciplinary inquiry, with several Pakistani players summoned to a Friday hearing over alleged breaches of conduct during earlier matches in the tournament. Unfazed, Hesson urged his men to focus only on cricket. \u201cWe\u2019ve deserved this opportunity,\u201d he told reporters. \u201cAll the matches so far were about putting ourselves in contention for the trophy. Now it\u2019s about delivering on the biggest stage.\u201d As media scrutiny intensifies around the ICC investigation reportedly linked to heated celebrations during wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Hesson insisted his camp remains locked in on the task at hand. \u201cLook, my message is simple: focus on cricket. Emotions run high in big games, and sometimes they spill over. But our responsibility is to play the game and play it well.\u201d The New Zealander, who has overseen Pakistan through a year of transition, was also candid about the team\u2019s early struggles against Bangladesh, but stressed the resilience shown in clawing their way back into contention. Reduced to 33 for four, Pakistan’s innings was on the brink of collapse yet once again, it was lower-order resolve and world-class bowling that sealed the win. He praised players like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Agha Salman, who helped Pakistan stabilise their innings on a challenging pitch before the bowlers shut Bangladesh down with clinical precision. Hesson said about the pitch: \u201cThese surfaces are difficult. It\u2019s not about playing the perfect cover drive it\u2019s about decision-making, adapting, and fighting for every run. That\u2019s what we did.\u201d When it comes to India a side Pakistan has failed to beat in their last seven encounters\u00a0 Hesson dismissed any talk of mental barriers. \u201cAbsolutely not. In the last match, we had them for long periods. We let it slip, but it wasn\u2019t fear it was just one exceptional innings that turned the game. This time, we have to keep the pressure on for longer,” Hesson stated. With the ICC hearing looming and the weight of a nation on their shoulders, Pakistan head into the final walking a tightrope fighting to lift the trophy while fending off distractions that could derail their momentum. Still, Hesson believes his squad is mentally tough enough to rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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