Hesson to Lead Pakistan's Test Team

Pakistan Cricket Board's Decision on Test Coach

Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson will continue to look after the country's Test team as interim head coach until the end of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Hesson took charge of the red-ball side during Pakistan's difficult tour of England two months ago, after former coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed midway through the series.

A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Hesson had agreed to continue in the role and would also guide the team during next year's Test series against New Zealand. The source stated, "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."

Hesson's Future with Pakistan Cricket

Hesson joined Pakistan as white-ball head coach in May 2025 before taking temporary charge of the Test team. However, his long-term future with the PCB will be reviewed after next year's World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The source added, "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."

Questions Over Hesson's Influence

Hesson has become a controversial figure in Pakistan cricket, with several former players and experts questioning the amount of authority he has been given by the PCB, particularly in team selection and other cricketing decisions.

Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam also recently admitted that he does not have a say in selection matters. He said his responsibility is to make the best use of the 15-16 players selected by the team management and selection committee.

The PCB source also acknowledged that chairman Mohsin Naqvi has great faith in Hesson and trusts him with important cricketing decisions. However, Hesson's frequent changes to the team and players across formats have not gone down well with everyone in Pakistan cricket.

Background and Timeline

The decision to appoint Hesson as the interim Test coach was made after Pakistan's poor performance in the Test series against England. The team's struggles in the longer format of the game led to a re-evaluation of the coaching staff, and Hesson's experience in white-ball cricket was seen as a potential asset in turning the team's fortunes around.

The World Test Championship cycle is a crucial period for Pakistan's Test team, and Hesson's continuation as coach will be closely watched by fans and experts alike. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be a key indicator of Hesson's success in the role.

Expert Perspective

Cricket experts believe that Hesson's experience in white-ball cricket can bring a fresh perspective to the Test team. However, they also caution that the team's success will depend on Hesson's ability to adapt to the longer format of the game and make the right decisions.

Read also: Shami Bids Farewell to Test Cricket

Former Pakistan players and coaches have also weighed in on the decision, with some expressing support for Hesson's appointment and others questioning the PCB's decision-making process.

Implications for Readers in India

The development is also being closely watched in India, where cricket fans are eager to see how Pakistan's Test team will perform under Hesson's guidance. The upcoming Test series against New Zealand will be a key test for the team, and Indian fans will be keen to see how Hesson's tactics play out on the field.

What to Watch Next

As the World Test Championship cycle heats up, fans will be eagerly watching Pakistan's Test team to see how they perform under Hesson's guidance. The team's upcoming matches against New Zealand will be a key indicator of their progress, and Hesson's continuation as coach will be closely scrutinized.

• Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's Test coach until the end of the current World Test Championship cycle.
• Hesson will also guide the team during next year's Test series against New Zealand.
• Hesson's long-term future with the PCB will be reviewed after next year's World Cup.
• Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam does not have a say in selection matters.
• The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be a key indicator of Hesson's success in the role.

With Hesson at the helm, Pakistan's Test team will look to improve their performance in the upcoming matches. The team's success will depend on Hesson's ability to make the right decisions and guide the players effectively.

The PCB's decision to continue with Hesson as the Test coach has been met with mixed reactions from fans and experts. While some believe that Hesson is the right person for the job, others are skeptical about his ability to lead the team to success.

Only time will tell if Hesson's continuation as the Test coach will be beneficial for Pakistan's cricket team. For now, the team will have to focus on their upcoming matches and work together to achieve their goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mike Hesson's continuation as Pakistan's Test coach is a significant development for the team. With his experience and expertise, Hesson will look to guide the team to success in the upcoming matches. However, the team's performance will ultimately depend on the players' ability to work together and execute Hesson's plans effectively.