Mike Hesson, who joined Pakistan as white-ball head coach, will continue fulfilling coaching duties for the side in the red-ball format. Pakistan are understood to be unlikely to appoint a new Test head coach until the end of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
While the board hasn’t made an official announcement, players have reportedly been informed of Hesson’s takeover as full-time head coach for the remainder of the cycle.
Hesson, who was preparing for the Asian Games with Pakistan in Japan, was rushed to join the red-ball side midway through the tour in England in September, after the PCB laid off coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul and seven players.
Hesson took charge after Pakistan’s coaching shake-up
Pakistan had lost two back-to-back Tests and decided the best course of action would be to sack the coaches and a decent contingent of players overnight. This series of very appalling events saw Hesson link up with Pakistan’s red-ball squad ahead of the Edgbaston Test, which began on September 9.
With the series already gone to England’s kitty and Pakistan’s longstanding nature of issues, there wasn’t much the interim coach Hesson could do as he oversaw the preparation for the final Test. He previously did express his interest in taking up the role full time.
“I’d be open to it for sure. I love Test cricket, and I think there’s enough talent within the system in Pakistan that, if we can provide some good direction, we can make some strides forward.”
Pakistan’s remaining WTC fixtures and Hesson’s future
Pakistan have only two series left to be played in this WTC cycle, the first of which begins on November 9 in Rawalpindi against Sri Lanka. The side will then host New Zealand early next year, the schedule of which has yet to be confirmed.
Hesson’s role as head coach of the Test side would be evaluated following the New Zealand series. Additionally, Pakistan would decide on his white-ball coaching future with the side following the 2027 ODI World Cup, when his contract with the side also expires.
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