Mike Hesson 'open' to taking on Pakistan Test head coach role

New Zealander was given interim control for Edgbaston Test and could be appointed across formats

Mike Hesson has confirmed he is keen to take on the Pakistan Test coaching role in addition to his white-ball responsibilities. Shortly after the conclusion of the third Test, which Pakistan lost by eight wickets, interim head coach Hesson said he was excited by the talent Pakistan had on offer for the red-ball format.

"I'd be open to it, for sure," Hesson said at a press conference immediately after the game. "I love Test cricket and there's enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we provide some good direction, we can make some strides going forward. It's not going to happen in a game or two but there's some skill there I'd certainly be considering looking after."

Hesson was swept into the red-ball role less than a fortnight ago, when the PCB announced it had sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed following Pakistan's loss at Lord's that confirmed a series defeat. At the time, Hesson said he was only in the role on an interim basis, but appears to have seen enough to interest him in a more permanent appointment.RelatedHesson keeps his head down as Pakistan try to pick up the pieces

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The realistic possibility to ascend to the Test coaching job comes weeks after he was sounded out for the same role with England in their search for a replacement for the outgoing Brendon McCullum. Hesson hinted that approach had never really moved past preliminary stages before England ultimately appointed Stephen Fleming, with Hesson reasserting his commitment to Pakistan till the 2027 World Cup.

Whether he takes that role with Pakistan is largely out of his hands, as Hesson acknowledged, with the PCB yet to make a final decision. "I haven't even contemplated [a job offer] at this stage. I've got the Asian Games coming a week after I get back. That's my main focus in terms of the white ball. By the time that arrives I'm sure we'll have some discussions about the Test team going forward. That's a discussion I'll have with the selectors."

While Pakistan showed a degree of resistance in the final four sessions at Edgbaston that was completely absent across the rest of the tour, the outcome of this match was barely in doubt from lunch on the first morning. On the best batting wicket of the series, Pakistan's muddled shot selections saw them shot out for 133 - their joint-lowest total in the first innings of a Test in 13 years. Ever since, Pakistan's attempt to gnaw their way back into the Test were too little, too late. The last dregs of optimism arrived in the form of two first-over wickets from Mohammad Abbas on the fourth morning, but in the absence of another bowler of his skill and consistency, and lack of scoreboard pressure, the chase was never seriously in doubt.Mohammad Abbas struck twice in his opening over•Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Hesson was encouraged by the improvements, but warned there were no quick fixes and hinted at the need for a structural overhaul in how Pakistan approach Test selection.

"The team hasn't just struggled in the last week or two, it's been a year or two in the making. The attention to detail around basic things as a team needs work. That's not just the playing 11, that's right through the squad. It's a matter of trying to find skill sets that suit Test cricket, rather than necessarily just runs and wickets.

"You need you need players that can play high pace and that can bring different elements to Test cricket. Some of those you know you can find in first-class cricket in terms of performance, and for some you have to identify skill. In Pakistan, there's always a lot of talk about having a lot of natural talent, and there is. But at times, we have to be brave in terms of picking players that we think have those skills."

Whether Hesson will have the remit to make those sweeping changes, even if he gets the Test job, remains an open question. The PCB's policy around who gets to select a Test squad or playing XI has varied significantly over the past couple of years. Former Test coach Jason Gillespie famously said in Rawalpindi in 2024 after being stripped of selectorial rights that he was simply a "matchday strategist" while just last week the PCB's high-performance director Aaqib Javed cited Sarfaraz Ahmed's selection decisions as a reason for his sacking.

Regardless of what the future holds, though, there were things Hesson was encouraged by within the environment he could control this week. "Once we arrived in Birmingham, everyone was pretty focused in terms of what lies ahead. Some of the players have probably gone through [what happened after Lord's] more than perhaps I have, and I think they were really adjusted pretty well.

"Losing the toss and dealing with some pretty good seam bowling and handing over probably three or four soft ones in the first hour and a half you know created a little bit of chaos in the changing room. But outside of that I think the boys were nice and calm and I was really pleased the way we showed some character the last couple of days. It wasn't perfect but it was certainly some really good signs."

Pakistan's next Test assignment comes in November, when they take on Sri Lanka in a two-match series at home.