Photo via Hindustan Times

‘India are the benchmark’: Pakistan coach lavishes praise on arch-rivals admits his team must catch up

Ahead of the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson conceded that India currently serves as the ultimate standard in white-ball cricket. Speaking to reporters in Karachi during a pre-departure training camp, Hesson noted that his squad's main objective is bridging the gap with their arch-rivals, who hold a six-match winning streak in T20 internationals against Pakistan.

Pakistan will field a youthful roster missing senior figures such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan. Sahibzada Farhan has been appointed to lead the team, which Hesson defended as both balanced and aggressive while offering emerging talents valuable high-pressure experience.