Hesson Demands Discipline as Pakistan Face Must-Win Asia Cup Clash

DUBAI: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has called on his players to show greater discipline with both bat and ball following their defeat to India in the Asia Cup, warning that significant improvement is vital ahead of their must-win encounter against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

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Reflecting on Sunday’s loss, Hesson conceded that Pakistan were “soundly beaten” on a spin-friendly surface where Indian spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav dictated the game. He admitted that his side failed to adapt quickly to conditions, which proved costly.

“We were a little frenzied at the start,” Hesson explained. “We got through the powerplay and were in the game, but we were squeezed in the middle overs. That created a lot of pressure and eventually led to our downfall.”

The pressure culminated in a batting collapse, leaving Pakistan 20 to 30 runs short of what Hesson considered a competitive total. He identified rotation of strike against spin as a key weakness that continues to trouble the side. “It’s not about picking the spinners; it’s about what you do when you pick them,” he said. “The dot-ball pressure forced players into big shots and poor dismissals.”

Openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, who have struggled for runs in recent matches, also came under scrutiny. However, Hesson defended the pair, pointing to their past contributions. “Four games ago, they were averaging 40 as an opening partnership. They’re key players, and I’m confident they’ll turn it around,” he insisted.

Pakistan’s decision to bat first, despite the venue’s history of favoring teams chasing, also raised eyebrows. Hesson explained that with minimal dew and slowing used surfaces, runs on the board still looked like a sound option. “We didn’t bat well enough, whether first or second. That’s the reality,” he admitted.

Despite the defeat, Hesson found positives in Pakistan’s fielding effort, describing it as a show of “character and fight” from his players. He emphasized, however, that stronger overall execution would be needed to keep their tournament hopes alive.

“We need to play better than we did today. We’re not far off, and I’ve got confidence in this group to come back stronger,” Hesson said. With Pakistan’s qualification hopes now dependent on Wednesday’s clash, the coach underlined the stakes. “It’s a must-win game for us to progress. We’ll need a lot more fight to have another crack in the Super Fours.”