Asia Cup: 'We have the best spinner in the world' - Pakistan coach fires warning at India

As Pakistan gears up for the Asia Cup, coach Mike Hesson acknowledges India's confidence and strength, particularly their world-class spinners. He emphasizes Pakistan's focus on improving daily, highlighting the team's strong bowling attack led by Mohammad Nawaz. While recognizing the batting lineup's development, Hesson stresses the importance of collective performance in adapting to varying conditions in Dubai.

Mohammad Nawaz of Pakistan celebrates with team mates (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

In cricket, few contests stir as much excitement as India versus Pakistan. The rivalry commands attention like no other, generates endless discussion, and evokes the strongest emotions. So as Pakistan prepared for their opening Asia Cup game against Oman, the conversation was already shifting to the blockbuster clash that follows against India. The focus was evident when Pakistan's head coach, Mike Hesson, spoke to the media ahead of his team’s first match. While India are the current world champions and top-ranked in T20Is, Hesson acknowledged the challenge that lies ahead. He said Pakistan were ready to rise to it. "We know that India are obviously hugely confident, and rightfully so, in terms of how well they've played. We're very much focused on improving as a team, sort of day by day, and not getting too far ahead of ourselves, but we're well aware of the... I wouldn't say the enormity of the task, I'd say the challenge of the task ahead, and we're certainly looking forward to it," he said.

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Hesson expressed strong faith in his bowling attack, particularly highlighting spin all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz. After missing out on Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad last year, Nawaz has made a notable return, including taking a hat-trick and a five-wicket haul against Afghanistan in the tri-series final involving UAE. "I guess the beauty of our side is we've got five spinners. We've got Mohammed Nawaz, who's the best spin bowler in the world at the moment, and he's been ranked that way over the last six months since he's come back in the side. And obviously we've had Abrar [Ahmed] and Sufiyan [Muqeem] do as well as he has. Saim Ayub is now in the top ten all-rounders in the world. So obviously that comes on the back of his improved performance with the ball. And Salman Ali Agha has hardly bowled, and he's obviously the test spinner for Pakistan," he added. The highly anticipated clash will take place in Dubai, where India demonstrated their dominance by bowling out UAE for just 57, with Kuldeep Yadav claiming four wickets. Pakistan will get a chance to adapt to the conditions in their match against Oman, also at the Dubai venue. Hesson noted that conditions could vary and that the pitch might not offer as much spin as Sharjah did. He added, "Look, I don't think you can expect that this pitch is gonna spin like it did in Sharjah. And even yesterday when Kuldeep [Yadav] bowled, it didn't spin a huge amount. I think whenever you've got wrist spinners like that it doesn't really matter about the surface as much." Dubai is preparing to host Pakistan versus Oman first, but all eyes are already on the showdown that will follow. India have already shown their strength, Pakistan is ready to respond, and the stage is set for one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.

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