Mike Hesson sat across from the press in Karachi, eyes steely, and said Pakistan still has ground to cover if they want to challenge India at the Asian Games. He highlighted the 4‑0 record against India in the 2025 Asia Cup and the single defeat at the Twenty‑20 World Cup, reminding everyone that the benchmark in white‑ball cricket remains firmly in Indian hands.
The coach’s tone was all grit. "We’re preparing as best we can," he said. He referenced last year’s final in Dubai, where Pakistan managed to dent India’s aura. That moment still haunts the team, yet Hesson insists they’ll “put India under pressure” if the chance arises.
Pakistan’s campaign kicks off with a quarter‑final on 28 September against the winners of Pool B – a mix of Hong Kong, Oman and Malaysia. Hesson warned the squad to focus on the early stages before dreaming of a semi‑final against India. "There’s a lot of cricket to be played between now and the semi‑final," he added, keeping the narrative tight.
This isn’t the first time Pakistan has tasted disappointment in Asian Games cricket. The side missed out on medals in 2010 and 2023, and never even reached the podium in 2014. Yet the ambition remains: to finally break that streak and bring home a medal.
The men's cricket competition at the Asian Games opens on Thursday, with the semi‑final between India and Pakistan slated for 1 October in Nagoya. For Hesson, the path is clear: win the quarter‑final, then bring the same intensity that shocked India in Dubai into the semi‑final showdown.
What’s next? Pakistan’s first test will be a tense showdown with the Pool B winners. Victory will set the stage for a potential clash with the giants of Indian cricket, and the stakes will rise from there.