Asia Cup 2025: Mike Hesson plays down Kuldeep Yadav-Varun Chakaravarthy threat, hypes Mohammad Nawaz as No.1 spinner

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson played down the threat of Indian spin bowlers.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has played down the threat of Indian spin twins Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy ahead of Asia Cup 2025 match between the two arch-rivals on September 14 in Dubai.

Under the New Zealander, Pakistan have had some success; since he took over in May, they have won 10 of their 14 T20Is. His first significant test, though, will take place on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium when his team plays their bitter rivals, India, in Group A of the ongoing Asia Cup.

India hold a commanding 9-3 lead over Pakistan in T20Is, but Hesson appeared unfazed by the challenge ahead.

“I’ve certainly watched many games from afar — whether while coaching other teams or commentating — so being on the other side of the fence, right in the middle of such a highly charged event, is going to be exciting,” Hesson told reporters on the eve of Pakistan’s match against Oman.

“Just like in any final or major event, it’s about keeping everyone focused on the job at hand. That won’t be any different this weekend. We know India are hugely confident — and rightfully so, given how well they’ve played — but we’re focused on improving as a team day by day and not getting ahead of ourselves,” he added.

Pakistan won one and lost one game in 2022 against India, the last time the Asia Cup was played in T20 format, also in the UAE.

“Mohammad Nawaz has been ranked the No. 1 spin bowler in the world” — Mike Hesson rubbishes Kuldeep Yadav–Varun Chakravarthy threat

Indian wrist-spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav swept through the UAE batting order on Wednesday. Although Pakistan’s lineup has unquestionably improved, there are still concerns regarding their capacity to handle wrist spin.

Only skipper Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Nawaz looked confident against Afghanistan’s spinners in the recently concluded tri-series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates.

Hesson was asked whether Pakistan batters would be troubled by the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep and Varun.

“I really don’t know where that’s come from or who would make that assessment. We’ve played against Rashid (Khan), Noor Ahmad — probably the best wrist-spin attack in the world — on a surface in Sharjah that turned square, and we still scored 70 more than the opposition. So, I’m not quite sure where that perception comes from.

I don’t think you can expect this pitch to spin like it did in Sharjah. Even on Wednesday, when Kuldeep bowled, it didn’t turn a huge amount. Whenever you’ve got wrist-spinners like that, the surface matters less. The beauty of our side is that we’ve got five spin options,” Hesson said.

He further hyped up Mohammad Nawaz as the world’s No. 1-ranked spinner in T20Is while playing down the Kuldeep–Varun threat to Pakistan.

“Mohammad Nawaz has been ranked the No. 1 spin bowler in the world over the last six months, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem have been excellent, and Salman Ali Agha — our Test spinner — has hardly bowled yet. If the conditions suit spin, we’re well covered. If they don’t, we’ve got five seamers who give us options whether it’s air speed, change of pace, or reverse swing — depending on what the pitch offers,” Hesson signed off.

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