Mike Hesson Confirmed as Pakistan’s Interim Test Coach Through the WTC Cycle

Pakistan’s Test coaching picture finally has a clear timeline. Mike Hesson will reportedly remain interim Test head coach until the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle ends, ending weeks of uncertainty. With the side rooted to the bottom of the table, the decision lands at a pivotal moment.

Hesson Locked In as Interim Test Boss

Mike Hesson will serve as interim Test head coach for the remainder of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, according to reports. The move brings clarity to an arrangement that has been in place for roughly two months.

The shake-up began in September 2026, following a mid-tour reshuffle during Pakistan’s England assignment. Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed ahead of the third Test in Birmingham, and Hesson stepped into the role.

Hesson was already Pakistan’s white-ball head coach at the time. That placed him in charge across all three formats on an interim basis, and the board communicated the arrangement directly to the playing group.

New Zealand Series Also Covered

The arrangement extends beyond the current fixtures. A source quoted by Outlook India said: “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.”

That message gives the dressing room a defined chain of command for the months ahead. For a team searching for stability, that matters.

What Happens After the WTC Cycle?

The interim tag comes with a firm expiry date. It runs only until the close of the current World Test Championship cycle, and no permanent Test head coach will be named before a wider review concludes.

Hesson’s broader association with Pakistan cricket is tied to the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are set to host that tournament.

The source added: “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.”

In short, the long-term Test coaching question stays parked until after the World Cup.

Who Picks the Team?

Several former players have raised concerns about the consistency of team combinations across formats under the current setup. The PCB responded by clarifying that selection decisions rest with the selection committee and team management.

According to the board, Hesson carries no responsibility for those choices. That is a significant line to draw for a head coach who now oversees every format.

Babar Azam, who continues as Test captain, operates within a defined brief under this structure. His remit covers getting the most from the 15 or 16 players made available to him by the selectors, while squad composition sits outside his direct authority.

Where Pakistan Stand in the WTC 2025-27 Standings

Pakistan’s record in the current cycle adds weight to the coaching discussion. Across nine matches, the side has managed only two wins against seven defeats, leaving them at the foot of the WTC 2025-27 standings.

Those numbers explain why every coaching and selection decision is now under the microscope. Two wins from nine leaves little room for error.

What to Watch Next

The big question is whether clarity at the top can translate into results on the field. Hesson now has a defined window to shape the Test side without the cloud of a pending appointment.

Three storylines will matter most from here:

• How the split between selectors, management and coach plays out in practice.
• Whether Babar Azam can maximise the squads handed to him.
• How Pakistan perform in next year’s home series against New Zealand.

The board has made its call. Now the pressure shifts to the players and the dressing room to deliver, with the 2027 World Cup review waiting on the horizon.