Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has acknowledged India’s current strength in white-ball cricket while insisting that his team will look to put their arch-rivals under pressure if the two sides meet at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
Hesson’s comments have added another layer of anticipation to a potential India-Pakistan encounter in the men’s T20 cricket competition. While the two teams are separated in the knockout draw, a meeting remains possible later in the tournament if both successfully negotiate their respective matches.
Mike Hesson calls India the white-ball benchmark
Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s departure for Japan, Hesson was candid about the gap his team needs to bridge in white-ball cricket.
The Pakistan coach described India as the benchmark in white-ball cricket and said catching up with the Indian team remains a challenge for his side. At the same time, he expressed confidence that Pakistan could make India work hard if the two rivals eventually cross paths at the Asian Games.
Hesson also referred to Pakistan’s performance in the previous year’s Asia Cup, saying his players would aim to put India under pressure in a similar manner if given the opportunity.
“We are certainly preparing as best we can and if we get an opportunity to play (India) we will certainly put them under pressure like we did in the final of the Asia Cup,” Hesson told the reporters.
The comments come against the backdrop of a difficult recent T20 record for Pakistan against India. India have won the last six T20 matches between the sides, including three meetings during the 2025 Asia Cup and another encounter at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India vs Pakistan at Asian Games 2026: When can they meet?
The men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026 gets underway in Japan, with India and Pakistan both entering the competition at the quarter-final stage.
Pakistan will begin its campaign on September 28, facing the winner of Pool B, which contains Hong Kong, Oman and Malaysia. India are also directly through to the quarter-finals.
The draw means an India-Pakistan meeting cannot happen in the quarter-finals. There has also been differing reporting about the possible knockout route, so the exact stage of a potential meeting depends on the tournament results and the official bracket progression. Current reporting indicates the rivals can meet at the medal stage if both advance far enough.
For now, Hesson is keen to keep his attention on the matches immediately ahead rather than looking too far into the tournament.
Pakistan have a different squad combination for Asian Games 2026
One of the interesting aspects of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition is the difference in squad composition between the two traditional rivals.
India have selected a full-strength team, while Pakistan are taking a combination of young players and experienced white-ball cricketers. Opening batter Sahibzada Farhan will lead Pakistan at the tournament.
The Pakistan squad also includes players with international experience, including Saim Ayub, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed. Hesson believes the tournament can provide an important platform for the younger members of the squad to demonstrate their abilities.
The coach has particularly highlighted Farhan’s leadership opportunity. According to Hesson, the Asian Games can give the opener valuable experience as captain, although his performance in Japan will not automatically determine Pakistan’s long-term captaincy plans.
Also READ: 7 Indian cricketers in Asian Games 2026 squad who did not play Asia Cup 2025 ft. Shreyas Iyer
Hesson wants Pakistan to focus on the basics
Despite the attention surrounding a possible India-Pakistan encounter, Hesson has stressed that Pakistan must first get through its opening assignment.
The coach said there is plenty of cricket to be played before either side can think seriously about a potential meeting. Pakistan have also spent time preparing for different pitches and conditions ahead of their campaign in Japan.
That approach could be particularly important for a relatively young Pakistan side entering a high-profile multi-sport event.
India defending Asian Games cricket title
India will arrive at the Asian Games 2026 as the defending men’s cricket champions. The team won the gold medal when cricket featured at the 2023 Asian Games, while Pakistan are still searching for their first medal in men’s Asian Games cricket. Pakistan finished fourth in both 2010 and 2023, losing the bronze-medal match on each occasion.
