Mike Hesson has confirmed he is receptive to the possibility of coaching Pakistan’s Test team on a permanent basis. The current white-ball coach stepped into the role for the third Test in Birmingham following a major leadership shake-up by the Pakistan Cricket Board, which saw Sarfaraz Ahmed relieved of his duties and several players sent home. While the team suffered a 3-0 series sweep against England, Hesson noted that he has not yet thoroughly evaluated the prospect of a full-time transition, noting his immediate priority is the upcoming Asian Games.
Addressing his future after the Edgbaston match, Hesson stated, “I haven’t even contemplated that at this stage. I’ve got the Asian Games coming back about a week after I get back, and that’s my main focus in terms of the white ball. And then by the time that arrives, I’m sure we would have had some discussions about the Test team going forward.” He affirmed his openness to the position, citing his admiration for the format and his belief in the latent potential within Pakistan’s cricketing system. He suggested that with proper strategic direction, the team could make significant improvements, though he acknowledged that such progress would require time.
During his media interaction, Hesson also disclosed that he had been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board to potentially succeed Brendon McCullum. However, he maintained his commitment to his existing contract with the Pakistan setup, specifically intending to see the team through to the next ODI World Cup. Hesson emphasized his personal philosophy toward career management, stating, “I don’t really believe in having a job to get another job. Most of the positions I’ve been in, I’ve been in for five, six years. I sort of see it through and then you have a break and you refresh and try for something else.”
Reflecting on the recent tour, Hesson highlighted the grit displayed by his players despite the chaotic lead-up to the Birmingham Test and a difficult start that saw seven wickets fall in the opening session. He noted that the team regained their focus relatively quickly, culminating in a resilient second-innings score of 449. This performance even saw Pakistan briefly pressure the hosts, reducing England to 0/2 in their first over. While the final outcome was unfavorable, Hesson praised the character of his squad, viewing the effort as an encouraging sign of growth despite the overarching challenges faced during the series.
Pakistan currently sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings for the 2025-27 cycle. The team is now preparing to host Sri Lanka for a two-Test series scheduled for this November. Looking further ahead, a tour by New Zealand has been planned for 2027, though exact dates for those fixtures have yet to be finalized. The report also notes that “Yeah, I’ll be open to it for sure,” he added. The report also notes that “I love Test cricket, and I think there’s enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we can provide some good direction, we can make some strides forward. The report also notes that but it’s certainly not going to happen in a game or two. The report also notes that “I was contacted by my agent to say, ‘hey, [there has been] an approach to have a discussion, and my availability’ as I’m sure many people were, and I made it pretty clear that I’d committed to Pakistan,” Hesson said. The report also notes that that’s not really the way I’ve ever operated. The report also notes that “I think once we arrived in Birmingham, everyone was pretty focused in terms of what lies ahead.
