Mike Hesson will continue as Pakistan's interim Test head coach until the end of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, according to reports. The arrangement, in place for about two months, also covers next year's Test series against New Zealand. Pakistan's results in the cycle give the decision important context.
Mike Hesson's Interim Test Role: Key Details
Hesson took over the Test side in September 2026, after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed ahead of the third Test in Birmingham. He was already Pakistan's white-ball head coach, so the move placed him in charge of all three formats on an interim basis.
The board and the head coach have both conveyed the arrangement to the players. The table below summarises the main points.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Role | Interim Test head coach |
| Appointed | September 2026 |
| Predecessor | Sarfaraz Ahmed (removed before the third Test in Birmingham) |
| Existing role | White-ball head coach |
| Term | Until the end of the WTC 2025-27 cycle |
| Confirmed assignment | Test series against New Zealand next year |
What Happens to Hesson's Role After the WTC Cycle?
The interim arrangement runs only until the close of the current WTC cycle. No permanent appointment to the Test head coach position will be made before that point.
Review Tied to the 2027 World Cup
Hesson's wider association with Pakistan cricket will be reviewed after the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia are set to host that tournament. The same review will decide who coaches the Test side in the next WTC cycle.
This means the Test coaching question stays open for roughly one more cycle. Hesson effectively carries two assignments, the Test side now and the white-ball side through the World Cup.
Pakistan's WTC 2025-27 Record So Far
Pakistan's results add weight to the coaching discussion. Across nine matches in the cycle, the side has won two and lost seven, which leaves them at the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 standings.
| Metric | Value |
|---|
| Matches played | 9 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Defeats | 7 |
| Win percentage | 22.2% |
| Defeat percentage | 77.8% |
| Standings position | Bottom of the table |
Reading the Numbers
Pakistan have lost roughly seven of every nine Tests in the cycle. There have been no draws, so every match has produced a result. The ratio of 2 wins to 7 defeats points to a side that has struggled to convert competitive positions.
The New Zealand series is the next measurable test of whether the interim set-up can improve those returns.
Selection Responsibility and the Captain's Brief
Several former players have raised concerns about the consistency of team combinations across formats. The PCB responded that selection decisions rest with the selection committee and team management. It said Hesson carries no responsibility for those choices.
Babar Azam continues as Test captain under this structure. His brief is to get the most from the 15 or 16 players the selectors make available. Squad composition sits outside his direct authority.
The responsibilities are therefore split across three groups, as the table shows.
| Group | Responsibility |
|---|
| Selection committee and team management | Squad and combination decisions |
| Head coach (Mike Hesson) | Coaching across formats, with no responsibility for selection |
| Captain (Babar Azam) | Maximising output from the 15 or 16 players provided |
What to Watch Next
Three factors will shape how this arrangement is judged. The first is Pakistan's win rate in the remaining Tests of the cycle. The second is the consistency of selections across formats. The third is the outcome of the post-World Cup review.
With only two wins in nine matches, even a modest improvement in win percentage would be measurable. Until the review concludes, the interim label means long-term Test coaching planning stays on hold.