With the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash in the Asia Cup Super Four set for tomorrow (Sunday), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has enlisted a sports psychologist and motivational speaker to support the team. This initiative aims to help the players handle the immense pressure and expectations that come with one of cricket’s most high-stakes encounters. Managing mental stress: According to team sources, Dr. Raheel has been assigned the task of guiding players on how to relieve mental stress and maintain composure during the match. His sessions will focus on helping cricketers stay mentally resilient, focused, and positive, particularly when facing intense pressure on the field. Helping players cope with pressure: The Pakistan-India rivalry is often considered one of the most emotionally charged contests in the world of cricket. To ensure players are in the best mental state, Dr. Raheel will advise them on handling anxiety, redirecting their focus from external noise, and channeling pressure into performance. Separately, ahead of the high-voltage Pakistan-India Super Four clash, the national cricket team held a crucial meeting where players openly acknowledged their shortcomings from the previous match. Batters admit mistakes in previous game: Team sources confirmed that Pakistan’s batters accepted responsibility for their failure in the last game. They recognized the importance of rotating the strike more effectively and avoiding the buildup of pressure in challenging conditions. Each player was given a chance to share his perspective during the meeting, turning the session into a platform for honest self-assessment. Bowlers highlight tough playing conditions: While the batters admitted their weaknesses, the bowlers shared their observations about the pitch and playing conditions. They emphasized that the batting conditions had been difficult, which contributed to the challenges the team faced. Coach expresses confidence: Head coach Mike Hesson expressed his full confidence in the players and urged them to remain focused ahead of the high-pressure game against India. Sources confirmed that he reassured the team of his support and trust, highlighting that a strong performance can help Pakistan turn their fortunes around in the tournament. Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence in his team’s preparations for the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash. Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Dubai on Saturday, Yadav stated that the squad was focused on performing well and entertaining the fans. Team prep, focus: Yadav highlighted that India has played three good matches in the tournament so far, and the players are determined to carry that momentum forward. “I think our preparation for the tournament is very good. Our focus is on what we can do well, and we will try to win the match,” he said.
