‘Everyone needs to stay focused’ - Mike Hesson urges Pakistan to maintain composure ahead of India showdown

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has urged his players to stay focused ahead of their highly charged Asia Cup clash against arch-rivals India on September 14. The match in Dubai will mark the first meeting between the two neighbours since a brief but deadly border conflict in May, adding further intensity to the contest.

The eight-nation T20 tournament began on Tuesday, September 9, with Afghanistan thrashing Hong Kong by 94 runs, while India cruised past the United Arab Emirates with a nine-wicket win on Wednesday. Pakistan will open their campaign against Oman on Friday, but much of the attention is already on their showdown with world champions India two days later.

"I guess, from my perspective, just like any time you enter a match, whether it be a final of a world event or whatever, it's about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand and that'll be no different on the weekend," Hesson said as quoted by NDTV Sports.

"We know that India are obviously hugely confident and rightfully so in terms of how well they've played,” he added.

India cruised to victory in just 4.3 overs against the UAE, extending their dominant run since last year’s World Cup triumph to 18 wins in 21 T20Is. Hesson said he was excited to be part of a blockbuster clash, which is expected to be played in front of a packed stadium in Dubai and watched by hundreds of millions on television. Pakistan entered the Asia Cup on the back of a tri-series win in the UAE, which also featured Afghanistan and UAE.

"Look, I've certainly watched many games from afar, so certainly being on the other side of the fence, I guess, being right and amongst such a highly charged event is going to be exciting," Hesson said.

"We're very much focused on improving as a team, sort of day by day, and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” he added.