Mike Hesson has left the door open to a bigger role in Pakistan cricket, saying he would be willing to coach the Test side full time if the opportunity arises. The Pakistan white-ball coach made the comments after a turbulent tour of England ended in a 3-0 series defeat, but one that still produced a few promising signs for the visitors.
Hesson does not rule out Test job
Hesson was brought in to oversee Pakistan’s third Test in Birmingham after the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes, including relieving Sarfaraz Ahmed of his coaching duties and sending seven players home. The reshuffle underscored the pressure around the side, but Hesson said his immediate focus remained on white-ball commitments and the upcoming Asian Games.
Still, when asked about the prospect of taking charge in the longest format, he was open-minded. “Yeah, I’ll be open to it for sure,” Hesson said. “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.”
He also added a note of realism. Any turnaround, he said, would take time rather than happen in one or two matches. That framing matters for a Pakistan side currently trying to rebuild its Test identity while dealing with constant selection and leadership questions.
England approach turned down
Hesson also revealed that he was approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board about succeeding Brendon McCullum as England’s Test coach after the New Zealand series. But he said he stayed loyal to Pakistan and his existing agreement, which runs through to next year’s ODI World Cup.
“I made it pretty clear that I’d committed to Pakistan,” Hesson said. “I don’t really believe in having a job to get another job. That’s not really the way I’ve ever operated.”
The comments offer a glimpse into Hesson’s coaching philosophy. He explained that he prefers long-term commitments, saying most of the jobs he has held have lasted five or six years before he takes a break and moves on to a fresh challenge.
Mixed tour, but signs of fight
Pakistan’s tour was difficult from start to finish, yet Edgbaston offered a brief glimpse of what the side can still do when it settles. Pakistan posted 449 in their second innings and then struck early, reducing England to 0/2 in the first over of the chase before the match swung away again.
That second-innings effort stood out because it followed a messy opening day, when Pakistan lost seven wickets in the first session. Hesson admitted the early collapse created chaos in the dressing room, especially after losing the toss and facing quality seam bowling.
Even so, he was encouraged by the response over the next two days. “I was really pleased with the way we showed some character,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but there were certainly some really good signs.”
Character amid pressure
The coach praised the players for staying focused despite the upheaval around the squad. Some had arrived with little recent cricket under their belts, yet Hesson felt the group adjusted well to the challenge once the Test began.
“Once we arrived in Birmingham, everyone was pretty focused in terms of what lies ahead,” he said. “The team was very focused.”
For Pakistan, that focus now has to translate into results. They sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship table for the 2025-27 cycle, a position that reflects the size of the task ahead as they try to rebuild consistency and confidence in the red-ball format.
| Key detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Series result vs England | 0-3 |
| Pakistan second-innings total at Edgbaston | 449 |
| England after first over of chase | 0/2 |
| Pakistan wickets lost on opening morning | 7 |
| WTC position | Bottom of 2025-27 table |
What comes next for Pakistan
Pakistan’s next Test assignment is a home series against Sri Lanka in November, a chance to reset and show that the flashes from Edgbaston can become something more durable. New Zealand are also due to tour Pakistan in 2027, though the dates have not yet been finalised.
For now, Hesson’s message is clear: he is committed, he believes in the talent available, and he sees a route forward if Pakistan can provide stability around the team. Whether that eventually means a full-time Test role remains to be seen, but the conversation has clearly started.
In a period of change, that may be the most important development of all.
