Last Updated on 7 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson says his decision to bat first against India in the Asia Cup 2025 clash at Dubai was strategic as he expected the pitch to slow down as the game progressed. Hesson believed that setting a target would give Pakistan an advantage if the surface made scoring harder later on.
At the toss, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bat first, citing the dry Dubai surface and expectations of it becoming less favorable for batting later. Hesson explained that the pitch at Dubai is different in terms of abrasiveness as compared to Sharjah, and he expected conditions would assist spin and slower bowling as time passed.
Coach Mike Hesson provides reason as to why Pakistan chose to bat first
Pakistan entered the match with a versatile squad, including five spinners, giving them flexibility depending on how the surface played out.
Hesson emphasised they had to prepare for both scenarios, spin-friendly conditions or otherwise. The gamble did not pay off as India’s spinners capitalised on the turning conditions, restricting Pakistan to 127/9. India chased down the total with ease.
“Not so much recent history but certainly longer term history, it does [make sense],” Hesson said of Pakistan’s decision to bat first, as quoted by Cricbuzz. “I guess over the last six games and even throughout the whole tri-series, sides won chasing. [But] there’s not as much dew as there has been in the past, so dew’s not really a factor.”
Hesson admitted his side was soundly beaten today but insisted they remain in the tournament mentally and tactically.
“I guess these used surfaces, they’re slow and they get slower. So in many ways, runs on the board the other day can help but we didn’t bat well enough. So that’s the reality, whether we batted first or second we weren’t good enough at the bat. We left ourselves probably 20 or 30 short and we all know through those middle overs we got squeezed. So lots to work on against a good bowling attack but I was pleased with the way the guys fought hard in the field, albeit with a score that wasn’t enough.”
Choosing to bat first is often about trying to avoid the second-innings challenges of slower, drier surfaces and spin turning. Pakistan tried aligning its strategy with those expectations, but to no avail on Sunday.
The two teams will likely meet again in the Super Four stage pending Pakistan’s match against the UAE this week.
