Dubai, Sep 26 (NationPress) Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson dismissed worries regarding consecutive losses to India in the current Asia Cup, emphasizing that the only outcome of significance is the forthcoming final against their historic rivals this Sunday.

India secured victories over Pakistan in both prior encounters in this tournament, winning by seven wickets in the group stage and then by six wickets in the Super 4s.

“We are aware of our matches on the 14th and the 21st. However, the only match that genuinely matters is the one at the end. That will be our priority. We aim to showcase our best performance when it counts,” he remarked after Pakistan triumphed over Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday, ensuring their spot in the final.

“Now it’s our responsibility to seize this opportunity. All the matches leading up to this point have been about positioning ourselves to claim the trophy. That has been our focus throughout,” he elaborated.

This year’s final is set to be monumental, as India and Pakistan have never clashed in an Asia Cup title match since the tournament's inception in Sharjah in 1984.

Off the field, Pakistan’s media manager Naeem Gillani — who previously restricted access to Indian journalists — permitted a question from the traveling press on Thursday.

When asked about the team’s response to external pressures and the upcoming ICC hearings for players Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf regarding controversial gestures, Hesson stated: “My focus remains solely on cricket, and that’s what we’ll concentrate on. Those matters are likely more familiar to you than they are to me. I handle the cricket side. Regarding gestures, there’s always a bit of passion in high-stakes games. Our aim is to play well and maintain our focus on cricket, which is part of my role.”

The Pakistan coach also rejected claims that his players struggle to read spinners effectively. “I’ve heard many remarks about us not picking the ball from the hand. I’ve addressed this before. For instance, when Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lankan leg-spinner) bowls, we recognize him as a googly bowler. It’s less about picking the ball from the hand and more about handling it off the pitch and positioning your body correctly.”

Instead, he identified decision-making under pressure as the primary concern. “We’ve been somewhat hesitant. These pitches present challenges that every team has encountered after the Powerplay. It’s quite tough,” Hesson acknowledged.