Pak coach concedes: We were outplayed by India

3 Minutes ReadWatch on Rediff-TV Listen to Article
Share:

September 15, 2025 14:10 IST

x

'We got to the end of the powerplay and we were in the game and then we got squeezed and that built up a lot of pressure during the middle overs.'

 Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem is bowled by India's Jasprit Bumrah during their match in the Asia Cup 2025, at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday 

IMAGE: Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem is bowled by India's Jasprit Bumrah during their match in the Asia Cup 2025, at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo

Head coach Mike Hesson attributed Pakistan's loss to a frenzied start and the tight bowling by Indian bowlers in the middle overs.

In a lop-sided contest, India beat Pakistan by seven wickets in their Asia Cup match in Dubai on Sunday.

Opting to bat, Pakistan lost two wickets in eight balls and failed to recover from that body blow, ending with a below par 127. India gunned down the target inside 16 overs.

"Look I think with the bat we were a little bit frenzied at the start. The ball held in the surface as we expected but we didn't respond as well as we would like there.

 

"We got to the end of the powerplay and we were in the game and then we got squeezed and that built up a lot of pressure during the middle overs.

"I think the more big games you play the more trust you have in your own game and we've certainly got some players who are finding their feet but they certainly want to be in the battle. And as I said, we'll come back stronger in a few days' time," said Hesson.

Hesson also defended the team's decision to bat first on a slow surface.

"Not so much recent history but certainly longer term history, it does (make sense to bat first). Over the last six games and even throughout the whole tri-series, sides won chasing.

"There's not as much dew as there has been in the past, so dew's not really a factor. I guess these used surfaces, they're slow and they get slower. So, in many ways, runs on the board the other day can help, but we didn't bat well enough.

"So that's the reality, whether we batted first or second we weren't good enough with the bat," said the former New Zealand coach.

Pakistan play the UAE in their final league game on September 17. Hesson is confident that his players will bounce back from the heavy defeat.

"Today we were outplayed. I don't think we can hide from that but we've certainly performed really nicely with the bat in recent times. We might not have huge names but we've got some quality players that scrap really hard for Pakistan and we've got over par on the majority of the games we've played with the bat.

"With the ball, we're finding new bowlers that are helping Pakistan win games, like Saim Ayub sort of getting back to his best, Sufiyan also had his moments. So look, we're not far off," added Hesson.

Share: