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Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson will continue as the interim red-ball head coach until the end of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Mike Hesson has polarised opinions in Pakistan. (Reuters Photo)
Mike Hesson looks set to remain in charge of Pakistan’s Test team on an interim basis until the end of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly agreed to continue with Hesson as the interim red-ball head coach.
Citing a source, news agency PTI reported that the New Zealander has accepted the arrangement.
He was initially handed charge of the Test side during Pakistan’s difficult tour of England two months ago.
“Hesson will also be interim head coach for next year’s Test series against New Zealand. The board and head coach have both conveyed this to the players as well,” the source was quoted as saying.
Hesson joined Pakistan cricket team in May 2025 as the national team’s white-ball head coach. His responsibilities expanded after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed from the position of Test head coach midway through the England series.
A decision on Hesson’s long-term future with Pakistan cricket is expected after next year’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The appointment of a permanent Test head coach for the next World Test Championship cycle will also be addressed at that stage.
“Hesson’s association with Pakistan cricket will be reviewed after next year’s World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It will also then be decided who will be the head coach of the Test side for the next cycle of the World Test Championship,” the source added.
Hesson’s growing influence within Pakistan cricket has sparked considerable debate, particularly over the extent of authority he exercises in team selection and other cricketing decisions.
While the PCB appears comfortable with his expanded role, several members of the cricket fraternity have questioned the concentration of responsibilities in the hands of the head coach.
The issue also came into focus on Sunday when Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam acknowledged that he was not involved in selection decisions. He said those responsibilities rested with the team management and selection committee, while his role was to get the best out of the 15-16 players made available to him.
According to the source, Hesson enjoys a close relationship with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has placed considerable trust in the head coach’s judgement on cricketing matters.
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Ask News18Mike Hesson is set to remain in charge of Pakistan’s Test team on an interim basis until the completion of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
November 09, 2026, 00:26 IST
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