Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB backs Mike Hesson to continue as Pakistan’s Test coach

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, center, chats with Pakistan’s Babar Azam, left, as head coach Mike Hesson looks on (AP Photo) 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 during Pakistan’s difficult tour of England two months ago after former coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked midway through the series.A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source confirmed to Indian news agency PTI that Hesson has agreed to continue in his role and also lead the team during the next Test series against New Zealand.“Hesson will also be the interim head coach for next year’s Test series against New Zealand. The board and the head coach have also told the players that,” the source said.

Hesson’s future with Pakistan cricket

Hesson joined Pakistan as head white-ball coach in May 2025 before taking over the Test team on an interim basis. However, his long-term future with the PCB will be assessed after next year’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.“Hesson’s association with Pakistan cricket will be reviewed after the next World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. After that, it will also be decided who will be the head coach of the Test side for the next cycle of the World Test Championship,” the source added.

Questions about Hesson’s influence

Hesson has become a controversial figure in Pakistan cricket, with several former players and pundits questioning the amount of authority given to him by the PCB, particularly in team selection and other cricket-related decisions.Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam also recently admitted that he has no 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 a lot of faith in Hesson and trusts him with important cricketing decisions. However, Hesson’s frequent changes in the team and players across formats did not go down well with everyone in Pakistan cricket.