Lahore: Pakistan's cricket team is gearing up for a challenging encounter at the Asian Games, with head coach Mike Hesson setting ambitious goals for the squad. The team will enter the men's event at the Quarter-final stage, facing an opponent yet to be determined.

According to International Cricket Council, Hesson is focused on replicating the energy and performance that Pakistan displayed during the Asia Cup Final last year, where they narrowly lost to India. India, currently the top-ranked team in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings and holders of consecutive ICC Men's T20 World Cup titles, poses a significant challenge. Both Pakistan and India are directly seeded into the Quarter-finals, avoiding an immediate face-off but potentially meeting later in the tournament.

Hesson emphasized the importance of measuring up to India's prowess in white-ball cricket, acknowledging their benchmark status. "We are preparing as best as we can and if we get an opportunity to play [India], we will certainly put them under pressure as we were able to do in the final of the Asia Cup," he said. Despite the formidable competition, he remains optimistic about his team's prospects.

Reflecting on Pakistan's recent performance, Hesson noted their rise in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, moving from eighth to a current position between fifth and sixth. This progress, he stated, is attributed to consistent series wins across various locations, including Pakistan, Dubai, and America. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges in Test and ODI formats, where the team continues to develop ahead of the World Cup.

The Asian Games officially commenced today, with Afghanistan and Malaysia achieving victories in the group stage. Pakistan's journey in the tournament will soon unfold as they strive to make their mark under Hesson's leadership.