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Mike Hesson to remain Pakistan interim Test coach until WTC cycle ends

Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's interim Test coach until the end of the current World Test Championship cycle.

By , Sports writer

· 2 min read

Apex Sports News graphic: Mike Hesson to remain Pakistan interim Test coach until WTC cycle ends
Photo: Apex Sports News graphic

Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's interim Test coach until the end of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, Hindustan Times reported. He will also coach Pakistan in next year's Test series against New Zealand.

Key takeaways

  • Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's interim Test coach until the end of the current WTC cycle
  • He will also serve as interim head coach for Pakistan's Test series against New Zealand next year
  • Hesson joined Pakistan as white-ball head coach in May 2025 and took over the Test side during the England tour
  • His association with Pakistan cricket will be reviewed after next year's World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia
  • Babar Azam said he has no role in selection matters, which are handled by team management and the selection committee

Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's interim Test coach until the completion of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle, Hindustan Times reported. The New Zealand coach took charge of Pakistan's red-ball side on an interim basis during the team's disastrous tour of England two months ago, after predecessor Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked midway through the tour. Hesson initially joined Pakistan as its white-ball head coach in May 2025.

Next Series and Review

Hesson will also serve as interim head coach for next year's Test series against New Zealand, a reliable source within the Pakistan Cricket Board said. The board and head coach have conveyed this to the players.

Hesson's association with Pakistan cricket will be reviewed after next year's World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. At that stage, it will be decided who will serve as head coach of the Test side for the next World Test Championship cycle.

Context and Reaction

Hesson has emerged as a polarising figure in Pakistan cricket, with opinions divided over the extensive influence he reportedly holds in selection matters and other cricket-related decisions.

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam acknowledged on Sunday that he does not have a role in team selection, stating that those decisions are handled by the team management and selection committee.

He said his responsibility was to get the best out of the players available to him. The source added that Hesson enjoys a close working relationship with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who has placed considerable trust in him regarding cricketing decisions.

However, several former players and critics have questioned Hesson's penchant for making frequent changes to teams and players across formats.

About the Competition

The ICC World Test Championship is the premier international competition for Test cricket. Pakistan compete in cricket tours and tournaments sanctioned by the PCB and other regional or international cricket bodies in Test, One Day International, and Twenty20 International formats.

The Pakistan men's national cricket team represents Pakistan in international cricket and is controlled by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the governing body for cricket in Pakistan, which is a Full Member of the International Cricket Council.

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