Mike Hesson discusses Pakistan's young squad ahead of Asian Games
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 23, 2026, 1:12 PM
Last updated Sep 23, 2026
Pakistan cricket coach Mike Hesson expressed optimism about his young team's prospects at the Asian Games, particularly regarding a potential matchup against India. Pakistan is preparing in Karachi before heading to Japan, where they aim to pressure India, who has defeated them in their last six T20 encounters. Hesson acknowledged India's status as the benchmark in white-ball cricket, indicating that Pakistan has significant ground to cover. The squad includes a mix of experience and youth, with Sahibzada Farhan leading as captain in the absence of several key players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pakistan made a late addition to its lineup, bringing in fast bowler Mohammad Wasim due to injuries in the original squad.
- •Mike Hesson coaches Pakistan's T20 team at the Asian Games.
- •India has won their last six T20 matches against Pakistan.
- •Sahibzada Farhan captains a second-string Pakistan squad.
- •Pakistan added Mohammad Wasim to replace an injured player.
- •Both teams have directly qualified for the knockout stages.
- 1:12 PMYahoo Sports — Pakistan cricket coach Hesson has high hopes for young team at the Asian Games
- 1:07 PMYahoo Sports — 'Challenge is to catch up to them': Mike Hesson praises India white-ball team as Pakistan prepare for marquee clash in Asian Games
"Pakistan's all-format coach Mike Hesson hopes his young team could put India under pressure if they face off in the medal game of men’s T20 cricket event at the Asian Games. India has won its last six games against Pakistan in the shortest format of the game, including three at last year’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. “India are the benchmark in terms of white-ball cricket at the moment and our challenge is to catch up to that,” Hesson told reporters in the southern port city of Karachi, where Pakistan is having a short training camp before leaving for Japan.
"With Pakistan getting one more chance at redemption against India at the Asian Games, head coach Mike Hesson believes that there is much catching up to do when it comes to their subcontinent rivals.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 23, 2026, 1:12 PMPakistan cricket coach Hesson has high hopes for young team at the Asian Games
Pakistan's all-format coach Mike Hesson hopes his young team could put India under pressure if they face off in the medal game of men’s T20 cricket event at the Asian Games. India has won its last six games against Pakistan in the shortest format of the game, including three at last year’s Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. “India are the benchmark in terms of white-ball cricket at the moment and our challenge is to catch up to that,” Hesson told reporters in the southern port city of Karachi, where Pakistan is having a short training camp before leaving for Japan.
- Yahoo SportsSep 23, 2026, 1:07 PM'Challenge is to catch up to them': Mike Hesson praises India white-ball team as Pakistan prepare for marquee clash in Asian Games
With Pakistan getting one more chance at redemption against India at the Asian Games, head coach Mike Hesson believes that there is much catching up to do when it comes to their subcontinent rivals.
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