Sports
‘We’ve earned this’: Mike Hesson rallies Pakistan ahead of Asia Cup final
DUBAI: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has thrown his full weight behind his players ahead of the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 final against India, insisting that the team has “earned the right” to fight for the title — despite on-field inconsistencies and off-field turbulence.
After a dramatic comeback win over Bangladesh in the Super Four — a match seen as a virtual semi-final — Pakistan booked their spot in Sunday’s final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, marking the first Pakistan-India final in Asia Cup history since the tournament’s inception in 1984.
But as the cricket world gears up for a high-octane finale, Pakistan’s preparations are being overshadowed by an ongoing ICC disciplinary process, with players expected to appear in a formal hearing on Friday over alleged conduct breaches during earlier matches in the tournament.
Hesson, however, was unwavering in his approach. “We’ve deserved this opportunity,” he told reporters. “All the games before now were about getting ourselves in a position to win the trophy. Now it’s about delivering on the biggest stage.”
And as media scrutiny intensifies around the ICC investigation — understood to concern on-field gestures and emotional celebrations during wins against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh — Hesson made it clear his focus, and the team’s, remains firmly on cricket.
“Look, my message is simple: we just focus on cricket. That’s what we’re here for. There’s always emotion in big games, and sometimes that spills over — but our job is to play the game, and play it well.”
The coach, who has guided Pakistan through a period of significant transition over the past year, was candid about his side’s early-match struggles against Bangladesh. Reduced to 33 for four, Pakistan’s innings was on the brink of collapse — yet once again, it was lower-order resolve and world-class bowling that sealed the win.
He praised players like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Agha Salman, who helped Pakistan stabilise their innings on a challenging pitch before the bowlers shut Bangladesh down with clinical precision.
Hesson said about the pitch: “These surfaces are difficult. It’s not about playing the perfect cover drive — it’s about decision-making, adapting, and fighting for every run. That’s what we did.”
When it comes to India — a side Pakistan has failed to beat in their last seven encounters — Hesson dismissed any talk of mental barriers. “Absolutely not. In the last match, we had them for long periods. We let it slip, but it wasn’t fear — it was just one exceptional innings that turned the game. This time, we have to keep the pressure on for longer,” Hesson stated.
With the ICC hearing looming and the weight of a nation on their shoulders, Pakistan head into the final walking a tightrope — fighting to lift the trophy while fending off distractions that could derail their momentum.
Still, Hesson believes his squad is mentally tough enough to rise to the occasion.
After a commanding 5-1 win over Latvia, the United States men’s hockey team was back in action for Game 2 of the preliminary round in the 2026 Olympics.
Saturday’s game was against Denmark, which lost 3-1 to Germany in its first game. The United States won, 6-3.
The U.S. now sits atop Group C, with six points. The top team from each group gets a bye into the quarterfinal round of the tournament, which begins Wednesday.
Center Brock Nelson led the U.S. in scoring after one game, with two goals, while forwards Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Quinn Hughes all had two assists. Forwards Auston Matthews, Tage Thompson and Brady Tkachuk were the other goal scorers in the opening contest.
More: Men’s hockey megapreview | Lapsed fan’s guide | Player rankings
Former Princeton star Caden Pierce, the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year, is transferring to Purdue, he told ESPN on Friday.
Pierce is sitting out this season to finish his degree at Princeton before playing his final season in West Lafayette in 2026-27. He announced his intentions to transfer over the summer before officially entering the portal in October.
The 6-foot-7 forward also considered UConn, Duke, Louisville and Gonzaga before picking Purdue.
“I went on all five visits, just looking for the place that felt most like home for one year for me,” Pierce said. “Purdue obviously has an unbelievable program that coach [Matt] Painter has built over the years. When I was on campus, with the coaches and with the guys, it felt like a great place for me. I wanted to be a part of that program. Mackey Arena is one of the best venues in college basketball, and I can be part of something special.”
Pierce, the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce and former North Carolina forward Justin Pierce, started 89 games during his three seasons with the Tigers. He won Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman in 2023, playing a key role on Princeton’s Sweet 16 team, including a 16-rebound performance in a NCAA tournament second-round win over Missouri.
His breakout came as a sophomore, when he averaged 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game and won Ivy League Player of the Year honors. Among the 22 low- and mid-major conference players of the year in 2023-24, Pierce was the only one to return to the same school the following season.
He battled through injuries for most of last season, with an ankle injury in late December resulting in two fully torn ligaments and two partially torn ligaments. He nonetheless earned second-team All-Ivy honors, averaging 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
“I’m feeling great,” Pierce said. “That’s been the nice thing about this year. I’ve been able to address whatever deficiencies I had without feeling like I had to play through injury or whatever I had. I was able to move at my own pace, get my body feeling great and stronger than ever.
“It’s been a different, unique year. That’s the only way to put it. I’ve never taken a full year off of competitive basketball. It’s been a little bit of an adjustment. I’m still working out, getting all my work in, but it’s by myself. I’ve had limited opportunities to play 5-on-5. Being removed from a competitive environment for this long has made me gain a new appreciation for the competitive side of basketball and the camaraderie in the locker room.”
At Purdue, Pierce will be part of a sizable reload and should slot into the Boilermakers’ starting lineup immediately. Painter will lose four starters, including All-American Braden Smith and program stalwarts Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer. C.J. Cox is expected to return in the backcourt, while reserves Omer Mayer, Jack Benter, Gicarri Harris and Daniel Jacobsen could all see expanded roles.
The Boilermakers are also bringing in a top-15 recruiting class, a group that includes three SC Next 100 prospects: Luke Ertel, Sinan Huan and Jacob Webber.
“They’re losing a lot of guys, a lot of older guys, a lot of seniors,” Pierce said. “It’s going to be a younger team. One of the things that makes coach Painter so respectable is he didn’t promise anything throughout the process. ‘You’re still going to have to earn anything, but the opportunity is going to be there. You’re an older guy, make your presence felt in the locker room and on the floor.’ That’s kind of why they wanted me.
“It appeals to me. I’m really looking forward to making my presence felt. Getting in the locker room with a good group of guys and being a part of something.”
Sports
Americans attending Olympics urged to ‘exercise caution’ after Italian railways hit by suspected ‘sabotage’
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Railways “associated with the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics” suffered from suspected “sabotage” on Friday, the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs announced Saturday.
The Rome-Naples, Rome-Florence, and Rome-Milan high-speed lines reportedly suffered damage earlier on Saturday, the Bureau said, citing confirmation from the Italian government.
“On February 13, Italian authorities announced enhanced security measures to prevent disruptions to railway networks during the Winter Olympics. These efforts include increased patrols along the tracks and rigorous technical monitoring of railway services,” the Bureau’s statement posted on social media read.
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A general view of the Tofane mountains as the Winter Olympic Mascot, Tina, greets the crowd ahead of the Women’s Alpine Downhill Skiing at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, Cortina d’Ampezzo, on day two of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. ( Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)
“Avoid areas of disruption and exercise caution when traveling by train. Utilize good situational awareness and attempt to leave any affected areas immediately,” the statement continued.
Authorities were investigating burnt cables, according to Reuters.
Officials urged anyone traveling on the lines to be extra cautious and allow additional travel time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini condemned the acts.
“These are hateful criminal acts aimed at workers and at Italy,” he said, via Reuters. “I hope that no one plays down or tries to justify these crimes which put lives at risk.”
General view as gold medalist Xandra Velzeboer of Team Netherlands, silver medalist Arianna Fontana of Team Italy and bronze medalist Courtney Sarault of Team Canada participate in the national anthem during the medal ceremony for the Short Track Speed Skating Women’s 500m on day six of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 12, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Joosep Martinson/Getty Images)
National police said that these were “definitely criminal acts.”
Similar incidents occurred earlier in the Games, with BBC reporting that severed cables and an explosive device were found between Bologna and Venice.
“These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy’s image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling and positive,” Salvini said at the time of the first incident.
A general view inside the Arena during the Figure Skating Team Event Men Single Skating – Short Program of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan. (Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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The Games conclude on Feb. 22, a week from Sunday.
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