The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is on the lookout for a new full-time head coach. This comes after Aaqib Javed, who served as the interim coach, chose not to stick around following a disappointing showing in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. His contract wrapped up, and it seems like it was a necessary step for both sides given the circumstances.
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Currently, the name making the rounds for the role is Mike Hesson. He’s not just a random choice; he was the Director of Cricket for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and has built a solid reputation in the cricket world. Right now, he is coaching Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and he helped them snag a title last season, which speaks volumes about his capability. With his background in both international cricket and various franchises, it’s easy to see why he’s a strong candidate.
Word has it that the PCB has already reached out to him to discuss the coaching position. They’ve also been in contact with a few other international coaches, like Australian Simon Katich and New Zealand’s current batting coach Luke Ronchi. But it seems like things are still in the early stages, and nothing is set in stone just yet. A PCB official, who preferred to stay anonymous, mentioned that Hesson might be open to the idea if everything falls into place during negotiations. It’s interesting to note that all three of these coaches were approached for the role in the past, but they passed on the offer due to other commitments they had at that time.
The hesitation among foreign coaches to join Pakistan’s setup seems to stem from how previous coaches have been treated. For example, Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn both found themselves out of a job just six months into their contracts after the team exited early from the 2023 ODI World Cup. Jason Gillespie also didn’t stick around long after the team’s tour of Australia, and Gary Kirsten opted not to return after his advice during the T20 World Cup fallout went ignored.
The current state of Pakistan cricket isn’t great either. They’ve struggled with their performance, finishing at the bottom of the most recent World Test Championship cycle after losing a test against the West Indies. The recent Champions Trophy was especially tough, as they didn’t secure a single win. On top of that, during their tour of New Zealand in March-April 2025, they only managed to pull off one victory out of nine white-ball matches, which really shows how much they need a boost.
In short, the PCB needs to get this coaching situation sorted out soon if they want to turn things around and build a team that’s competitive on the world stage again. The upcoming decisions will be crucial, not just for the team, but for the future of cricket in Pakistan as well.
