'My message to the players is...': Pakistan coach Mike Hesson on Haris Rauf's provocative gestures

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson on Haris Rauf's provocative gestures

India will play Pakistan for the third time at the ongoing 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. The bitter rivals meet against in the finals after engaging in two one-sided affairs in the Group and Super Four stage previously.

Despite the lopsided results, India-Pakistan rivalry remains an intense affair due to geo-political tensions between the two. The timing of the clash too comes at a time when the tension are further heightened due to continuous political messaging during the last two meetings.

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It all started with the handshake dispute, when the Indian squad refrained from engaging in both pre and post match rituals against Pakistan in the group stage. The Men In Blue maintained the stance in the Super Four stage, which also saw Pakistan players make provocative gestures.

Mike Hesson, the head coach of Pakistan, was asked about the political messaging ahead of the much-anticipated to clash. "Look, my message to the players is just focus on cricket and that certainly we will be doing. In terms of gestures there has always been passion in terms of high-pressure games," the coach said.

Weighing-in on the last two defeats against India, Hesson said: “I think the way we played against India in the last match was a huge step up from the first game. The first game was a bit passive, we allowed India to control the game.

"The last match we had that game by the scruff of the neck for long periods and it took an exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma that took the game away from us. We have deserved this opportunity so it's now up to us to make the most of it. We have been trying to be in a position to win the trophy."

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If we talk about the action on the field, India were too strong for Pakistan in both matches and Hesson acknowledged it. "We have to be good enough to put India under pressure for longer because there is a reason why they are ranked the top side in the world. We have to put them under pressure and that will be our challenge," the coach said.