DUBAI:

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson called on his players to focus on cricket when they face India in the Asia Cup final on Sunday, after the previous two meetings between the sides caused tensions to run high.

Pakistan set up a first-ever Asia Cup final against India with a hard-fought 11-run win over Bangladesh in a Super Four match in Dubai on Thursday.

Hesson played down the bitterness that marred the past two India-Pakistan matches in this edition of the Asia Cup — their first meetings since May’s military conflict between the two countries.

“Look, my message to the players is just focus on cricket and that certainly we will be doing. In terms of gestures there has always been passion in terms of high-pressure games,” said New Zealander Hesson.

India refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the first game and the two sides also did not shake hands after the second.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was accused of making a political statement after the first match, while Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan and pacer Haris Rauf made aggressive gestures in the second.

India comfortably had the better of Pakistan in the two previous matches, beating them by seven wickets in their Group A match and by six wickets at the Super Four stage.

That stretched India’s unbeaten run against Pakistan to seven international matches dating back to 2022 — three one-day internationals and four T20Is.

Hesson said his team needs to be relentless against world champions India if they are to taste victory in the final.

“We have to be good enough to put India under pressure for longer because there is a reason why they are ranked the top side in the world,” he said.

“We have to put them under pressure and that will be our challenge.”

Pakistan managed a paltry 127-9 in the first match, which India chased down for the loss of just three wickets.

Pakistan fared much better in the second encounter but still lost by six wickets.

“I think the way we played against India in the last match was a huge step up from the first game,” said Hesson, a former New Zealand coach.

“The first game was a bit passive, we allowed India to control the game.

“The last match we had that game by the scruff of the neck for long periods and it took an exceptional innings from Abhishek Sharma that took the game away from us.”

Sharma hit a match-winning 39-ball 74 to help India chase down a 172-run target.

“We have deserved this opportunity so it’s now up to us to make the most of it,” added Hesson.

“We have been trying to be in a position to win the trophy.”