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Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson in a post match press conference after defeating Bangladesh in the super four clash of the Asia Cup 2025:
Q: Your analysis of the team's performance is incredibly insightful. Can you elaborate on the factors you believe contributed to the team's ability to 'fight back' and win matches despite not playing perfectly?
Hesson: "Thanks for the kind words! It's not about one single factor, but a combination of things. First and foremost, the character and belief within this group are immense. They don't give up. When we're under pressure, instead of collapsing, they dig in. We saw it when we were 4 for 33; a lesser team would have folded. But this team has an innate pride in representing Pakistan, and that fuels their determination. They genuinely believe they can win from any position. Beyond that, it's also about problem-solving on the fly. We've got players who can adapt to the situation, whether it's building a partnership when the top order fails or the bowlers finding a way to take wickets when the opposition is building momentum. It's not a perfect script, but they're willing to fight hard and scrap for every run and every wicket. That's a quality that's hard to teach, and I'm incredibly proud of it."
Q: You mentioned that the main batters' struggles against spin are due to decision-making rather than a technical issue. What specific adjustments are you working on with them to improve their shot selection and positioning against spinners?
Hesson: "It's not about them not seeing the ball out of the hand; it's about what they do once the ball is in the air. The key is getting their body into a strong, balanced position to play the shot. On these challenging pitches, if you're even slightly off-balance, the ball will take advantage of it. It's about being proactive, not reactive. We're focusing on drills that emphasize footwork and body alignment. It's about getting closer to the pitch of the ball or getting far enough back to give themselves time. They're working on making a firm commitment to a shot and executing it properly, rather than playing tentatively. It's not a quick fix, but it's something they're all dedicating a lot of time to in the nets. They understand the need for more contributions from the top order, and they're putting in the work."
Q: The upcoming final against India carries a lot of history and pressure. Given the recent results, how are you ensuring the team remains mentally strong and avoids any potential 'mental block' or pressure from the occasion?
Hesson: "There's no mental block. The last game against India was a massive step up from the first. We went toe-to-toe with them and, for long periods, we had them on the back foot. It took a truly exceptional innings to beat us. That's a huge positive to take into the final. We've shown we can compete with the best in the world. My message to the team is simple: we've earned this opportunity. We've fought our way here. We've shown grit and determination. The focus now is on playing our best game when it matters most. We won't be talking about past results or the pressure. We will be focusing on the cricket. It's about executing our plans, putting them under pressure for longer periods, and trusting our skills. The focus is on the present, on the final, and nothing else."
Q: Could you describe the strategic differences required to succeed on a slow, challenging pitch like the one you faced today compared to a more typical, fast-paced wicket?
Hesson: "On a slower pitch, it’s a totally different ballgame. You can't just swing for the fences. It becomes a dogfight. You have to be prepared to grind, to fight for every run. Scoring a fluent 50 is incredibly difficult. You have to accept that you're not going to be middling every ball. The strategy shifts from pure aggression to building pressure. With the bat, it's about being patient, finding the gaps, and running hard. You have to be smart with your shot selection and prepared to work the ball around. With the ball, it's about constantly building pressure, tying the batsmen down, and waiting for them to make a mistake. Spin becomes a huge factor, especially in the middle overs. It’s a challenge, but these are the games that show the true character of a team."
Q: The 'ring of fire' lights are a unique challenge. In what ways do you believe they impact a player's ability to field, and are there any specific fielding drills you've implemented to help the team adapt?
Hesson: "Yeah, the 'ring of fire' is definitely a factor. It's not a constant issue, but when the ball comes at just the right trajectory, it can be blinding. Your depth perception just disappears for a split second. It’s hard to get the ball again once you've lost it. You can practice all you want, but you can't replicate that exact moment in a net session. So, the message is to be prepared for it. We've talked about it, and we've done drills that simulate different trajectories, but at the end of the day, it's about being focused and keeping your eye on the ball for as long as possible. It's another challenge that we have to overcome. We just need to focus on the cricket and not let it become a distraction."
Q: Your analysis of the team's performance is incredibly insightful. Can you elaborate on the factors you believe contributed to the team's ability to 'fight back' and win matches despite not playing perfectly?
Hesson: "Thanks for the kind words! It's not about one single factor, but a combination of things. First and foremost, the character and belief within this group are immense. They don't give up. When we're under pressure, instead of collapsing, they dig in. We saw it when we were 4 for 33; a lesser team would have folded. But this team has an innate pride in representing Pakistan, and that fuels their determination. They genuinely believe they can win from any position. Beyond that, it's also about problem-solving on the fly. We've got players who can adapt to the situation, whether it's building a partnership when the top order fails or the bowlers finding a way to take wickets when the opposition is building momentum. It's not a perfect script, but they're willing to fight hard and scrap for every run and every wicket. That's a quality that's hard to teach, and I'm incredibly proud of it."
Q: You mentioned that the main batters' struggles against spin are due to decision-making rather than a technical issue. What specific adjustments are you working on with them to improve their shot selection and positioning against spinners?
Hesson: "It's not about them not seeing the ball out of the hand; it's about what they do once the ball is in the air. The key is getting their body into a strong, balanced position to play the shot. On these challenging pitches, if you're even slightly off-balance, the ball will take advantage of it. It's about being proactive, not reactive. We're focusing on drills that emphasize footwork and body alignment. It's about getting closer to the pitch of the ball or getting far enough back to give themselves time. They're working on making a firm commitment to a shot and executing it properly, rather than playing tentatively. It's not a quick fix, but it's something they're all dedicating a lot of time to in the nets. They understand the need for more contributions from the top order, and they're putting in the work."
Q: The upcoming final against India carries a lot of history and pressure. Given the recent results, how are you ensuring the team remains mentally strong and avoids any potential 'mental block' or pressure from the occasion?
Hesson: "There's no mental block. The last game against India was a massive step up from the first. We went toe-to-toe with them and, for long periods, we had them on the back foot. It took a truly exceptional innings to beat us. That's a huge positive to take into the final. We've shown we can compete with the best in the world. My message to the team is simple: we've earned this opportunity. We've fought our way here. We've shown grit and determination. The focus now is on playing our best game when it matters most. We won't be talking about past results or the pressure. We will be focusing on the cricket. It's about executing our plans, putting them under pressure for longer periods, and trusting our skills. The focus is on the present, on the final, and nothing else."
Q: Could you describe the strategic differences required to succeed on a slow, challenging pitch like the one you faced today compared to a more typical, fast-paced wicket?
Hesson: "On a slower pitch, it’s a totally different ballgame. You can't just swing for the fences. It becomes a dogfight. You have to be prepared to grind, to fight for every run. Scoring a fluent 50 is incredibly difficult. You have to accept that you're not going to be middling every ball. The strategy shifts from pure aggression to building pressure. With the bat, it's about being patient, finding the gaps, and running hard. You have to be smart with your shot selection and prepared to work the ball around. With the ball, it's about constantly building pressure, tying the batsmen down, and waiting for them to make a mistake. Spin becomes a huge factor, especially in the middle overs. It’s a challenge, but these are the games that show the true character of a team."
Q: The 'ring of fire' lights are a unique challenge. In what ways do you believe they impact a player's ability to field, and are there any specific fielding drills you've implemented to help the team adapt?
Hesson: "Yeah, the 'ring of fire' is definitely a factor. It's not a constant issue, but when the ball comes at just the right trajectory, it can be blinding. Your depth perception just disappears for a split second. It’s hard to get the ball again once you've lost it. You can practice all you want, but you can't replicate that exact moment in a net session. So, the message is to be prepared for it. We've talked about it, and we've done drills that simulate different trajectories, but at the end of the day, it's about being focused and keeping your eye on the ball for as long as possible. It's another challenge that we have to overcome. We just need to focus on the cricket and not let it become a distraction."
