# Pakistan coach Hesson calls India benchmark in white-ball cricket

2026-09-23T14:46:54+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has described India as the benchmark for all teams in white-ball formats ahead of the Asian Games in Japan. India have won the last six T20 matches against Pakistan, including three at last year's Asia Cup. Hesson said the challenge for Pakistan is to catch up with India in white-ball cricket. Hesson expressed confidence that Pakistan can put pressure on India if they meet in the Asian Games final. The teams can only face each other in the final or bronze medal match as they are in separate groups. Pakistan have picked fewer experienced players compared to India's full-strength squad. Hesson defended Pakistan's T20 performance, noting they have risen from eighth to fifth in the ICC T20I rankings since he took charge and have won several series. He dismissed suggestions that Sahibzada Farhan's Asian Games captaincy indicates a longer-term leadership role, saying that decision rests with the selection committee and PCB.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The coverage across all three sources is uniform straight reporting of Mike Hesson's press conference remarks, with no discernible editorial slant. Sports.ndtv.com and Indian Express lead with Hesson's admission that India are the benchmark, while rediff.com packages the same statement alongside his defence of Pakistan's T20 record and captaincy decision. The shared emphasis on Hesson's 'India are the benchmark' line underscores the competitive framing of the India-Pakistan rivalry ahead of the Asian Games. The consistency suggests the wire agency PTI is the common origin for all three reports.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com (neutral report) <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/india-are-the-benchmark-pakistan-coach-mike-hessons-big-admission-ahead-of-asian-games-12087493#publisher=newsstand>
  Straight reporting of Hesson's statement, no added commentary
- rediff.com (neutral report) <https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/pakistan-coach-mike-hesson-discusses-india-rivalry-asian-games-cricket-strategy/20260923.htm>
  PTI-sourced report, includes Hesson's defence of Pakistan's T20 record
- indianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/mike-hesson-pakistan-pressure-on-india-asian-games-10891084/>
  Brief wire-style report, no analysis or slant

Tags: Asian Games, India cricket, Mike Hesson, Pakistan cricket
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