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.
The Boxing Day weekend continues with some great matches this Saturday!
The day began with Manchester City grabbing a 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest to go one point clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. However, the Gunners then regain their two-point lead at the summit with a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, while reigning champions Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers by 2-1 thanks in part to Florian Wirtz‘s first goal for the club.
Finally, we finished the day with fourth-placed Chelsea losing to third-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, 2-1.
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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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Sports
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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