DUBAI:

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson called on his players to focus on cricket when they face India in the final on Sunday, after the previous two meetings between the sides caused tensions to run high.

Pakistan set up a first-ever Asia Cup final against India with a hard-fought 11-run win over Bangladesh in a Super Four match in Dubai on Thursday.

Hesson played down the bitterness that marred the past two India-Pakistan matches in this edition of the Asia Cup -- their first meetings since May's military conflict between the two countries.

"Look, my message to the players is just focus on cricket and that certainly we will be doing. In terms of gestures there has always been passion in terms of high-pressure games," said New Zealander .

India refused to shake hands with Pakistan aft

See Full Page