Mike Hesson to continue as Pakistan's intertim Test coach until end of WTC cycle | Cricket - Hindustan Times

Pakistan's white-ball head coach Mike Hesson will continue as the national team's interim red-ball head coach until the completion of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle.Hesson took over the interim responsibility of the Test side during the team's disastrous tour of England two months ago, and a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said he had agreed to continue in the role until the end of the cycle."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," the source said.Hesson initially joined the Pakistan team as its white-ball head coach in May 2025 and subsequently accepted the interim role with the red-ball side after his predecessor Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked midway through the England tour."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," the source added.Also Read: Arjun Rajput's fighting 107 goes in vain as Hamza Zahoor powers Pakistan to three-wicket win over India in U19 Asia CupHesson has emerged as a polarising figure in Pakistan cricket, with the cricket fraternity divided over the considerable powers given to him by the PCB in selection and other cricketing matters.Even Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam admitted on Sunday that he had no role in selection matters, which were handled by the team management and selection committee. He said his job was to get the best out of the 15-16 players provided to him.The source said it was true that Hesson was very close to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who trusted him with all cricketing decisions. However, several former players and critics have questioned Hesson's penchant for making frequent changes to teams and players across formats.