Pakistan Head Coach Confident Ahead of India Clash at Asian Games

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has set his sights on a possible clash with archrival India at the Asian Games, while stressing that his team must first take care of its opening knockout assignment in Japan.

Speaking in Karachi ahead of Pakistan’s departure, Hesson acknowledged that India remains the benchmark in white-ball cricket and admitted that Pakistan has ground to make up against its traditional rival.

Since Hesson took charge in May last year, Pakistan has lost to India three times during the 2025 Asia Cup and once in this year’s T20 World Cup.

The Pakistan coach, however, said his side would be ready to challenge India if the two teams meet during the Asian Games and would look to put them under pressure, as Pakistan did in last year’s Asia Cup final in Dubai.

Hesson made it clear that Pakistan cannot afford to look too far ahead, with the team first needing to win its quarterfinal on September 28.

The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games begins Thursday in Japan. Pakistan will face the winner of Pool B, which includes Hong Kong, Oman and Malaysia, in the quarterfinal.

Pakistan and India have never faced each other in men’s cricket at the Asian Games but could meet in the semifinals in Nagoya on October 1.

India enters the tournament as the defending Asian Games champion and has named a full-strength squad for the competition.

Pakistan, meanwhile, will be led by opener Sahibzada Farhan, with the squad featuring a mix of young and experienced players.

Hesson said the tournament would provide Farhan with an important opportunity to gain captaincy experience. He also described the Asian Games as a valuable platform for emerging players to showcase their ability.

However, he clarified that Farhan’s captaincy at the tournament would not determine Pakistan’s long-term leadership plans, adding that any future captaincy decision would be made by the selection committee and the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.

Hesson also said Pakistan had undergone extensive practice over the previous three days to prepare for different pitches and playing conditions.

He further addressed the absence of fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani, explaining that the pacer was not included in the 30-member preliminary squad submitted five months ago for the Asian Games.

The final squad, he said, had to be selected from that preliminary list in accordance with Olympic regulations.

Pakistan has never won a medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games. The team lost the bronze-medal match in 2010 and 2023 and did not participate in the 2014 edition.