Pakistan have successfully booked their place in the final of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Despite the defeats to arch-rivals India in both the group stage and Super Four, Pakistan clinched crucial victories over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to sneak into the title clash. In the final, they will face none other than India, whom they’ve already faced twice in the ongoing edition of the tournament. The final showdown marks their third meeting in the same edition.
The first meeting between India and Pakistan was marred by a handshake controversy. India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets, but controversy overshadowed the result. Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistan side, neither at the toss nor after the match. After the game, India reportedly walked straight to their dressing room, not engaging in the customary post-match handshakes. And, in the Super Four clash last Sunday, Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan sparked controversies by their on-field gestures. Meanwhile, ahead of the final, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson wants Pakistan to focus only on the game.
"Look, my message to the players is just focus on cricket, and that certainly what we will be doing. In terms of gestures, there has always been passion in terms of high-pressure games," Mike Hesson said while addressing media after Pakistan's win over Bangladesh.
Mike was also asked whether Pakistan players face a mental block against India given their visible struggle to assert their dominance over their oldest rivals.
"Certainly not (no mental block). The way we played against India in the last match was a huge step up from the first game. We were a bit passive in the first game. We allowed India to control the game. In the last game, we had that game by the scruff of the neck for a long period. It took an exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma to take the game away from us. Outside of that, we were pretty good," he said.
"We have to be good enough for long enough to be able to put India under pressure. We were able to do it for 10 overs with the bat, maybe after powerplay with the ball in the last game. We need to do it for longer.
"Because there's a reason why they are rated the top side in the world. We have to put them under pressure. So that will be our challenge," he said.