As the cricketing world awaits the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final between Pakistan and India, Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson has delivered an important message to his players: focus only on the game, not the pressure.
Speaking after Pakistan’s victory against Bangladesh in Dubai, the New Zealand-born coach emphasized that passion and emotions are natural in high-stakes matches but discipline and concentration will decide the outcome.
Hesson reminded the squad that controlling energy and channeling it into performance is the key to handling the pressure of a final.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s earlier encounters with India in this tournament, Hesson admitted that the team underperformed in the first game but showed clear improvement in the second clash.
He pointed out that Pakistan managed to keep India under pressure for long periods but closing the game will require greater consistency and composure.
Hesson also underlined that recent victories have boosted the team’s confidence. According to him, the players now believe in their ability to seize big moments and are determined to take advantage of this historic opportunity. He called the upcoming final not just a contest but a true test of Pakistan’s mental strength and resilience.
India enters the final as the most successful side in Asia Cup history with eight titles, while Pakistan has lifted the trophy twice, last in 2012.
Interestingly, this will be the first-ever final between the two arch-rivals in the 41-year history of the tournament, making Sunday’s game at the Dubai International Stadium one for the ages.
With confidence in the dressing room and a clear strategy from the coach, Pakistan will look to create history against India in the ultimate clash of the Asia Cup 2025.
