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Coach urges Pakistan to ‘focus on cricket’ for India Asia Cup final | The Express Tribune
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.”
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Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett is on the verge of NFL history, as he is just a half-sack away from tying the single-season record set by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt.
Garrett, 29, said it would be “special” to break the record by sacking Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“It’d be special. He’s legendary himself. And it’s a legendary record I’m out here chasing. So that’d be a great one to put a picture on the wall with,” Garrett said at a press conference Friday.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) warms up before an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 9, 2025. (IMAGN)
Rodgers is quick to get the ball out, and Garrett said it’s important to take away his easy reads.
“Gotta take away those easy access throws, make him look at his second read, and he’s gotta keep rushing. There’ll be (opportunities) if we continue to get stops during the game, and he can’t continue to lean on those quick passes, when you gotta score points,” Garrett said.
The Browns, who are 3-12, play the Steelers at home on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North and a playoff spot with a win over the Browns.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Garrett hopes the Browns play spoiler, so if he sets the record on Sunday, he would do it in a win.
“Yeah, I just play. I want to get it, and you know, like I said, I want to win while doing it. And I think we have the guys who are locked in who want to do that as well,” Garrett said.
The seven-time Pro Bowler said there is no pressure that comes with the record looming.
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“Pressure? Nah, no pressure. Like I said, it’s going down. So, I’m not stressed or worried about if I’m going to get it. Just a matter of when,” Garrett said.
Garrett has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The four-time All-Pro has an astounding 124.5 sacks in 132 career games.
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Giants star Malik Nabers pokes fun at own season-ending injury, fantasy football in hilarious commercial
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The NFL’s regular season is ending soon, which means that fantasy football seasons are also coming to a close.
But while the season may be ending, the fantasy football punishments are only just beginning. For the player who finishes in last place, one common punishment is that they have to spend 24 hours in a bar, or at an IHOP eating pancakes.
New York Giants star wide receiver Malik Nabers was drafted in the first round by many players, but the second-year wide receiver tore his ACL in Week 4. The Giants certainly missed him in the lineup, as did a lot of fantasy football players, whose teams looked a lot different without Nabers.
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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) looks on before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on Sept 21, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
Nabers and IHOP partnered to make a hilarious commercial, which made fun of his injury and the impact it had on fantasy football players.
“Every year, thousands of fantasy football leagues make their last-place team spend 24 hours at IHOP eating pancakes,” Nabers said.
A waitress then interrupted and said, “Just like you helped everyone’s fantasy team this season?”
RAIDERS STAR MAXX CROSBY LEAVES TEAM FACILITY AFTER GETTING RULED OUT IN GAME FOR NO 1 PICK
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) is carted off the field following an injury during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 28, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Nabers was eating pancakes, with his crutches next to him, when a kid walked up and asked the Giants star if it was actually him.
After Nabers confirmed it was himself, the kid yelled, “I wasted my first-round pick on you!”
The 22-year-old was on his way to making his second season look a lot like his rookie season. As a rookie, Nabers had 109 receptions for 1,204 yards with seven touchdowns.
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Nabers set the record for most catches ever by a rookie wide receiver. In four games before tearing his ACL, the former LSU star had 18 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns.
Fantasy owners who draft Nabers next season hope that he will regain his form and that they will avoid last place.
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