 "Pakistan Cricket Team is in search for a new head coach to replace Aaqib Javed. Image: Reuters")
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly set to appoint a former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Director of Cricket Operations as the new head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.
Media reports in Pakistan are littered with the news that Mike Hesson, who also coached the New Zealand national team in the past, is close to being declared as the new head coach of Team Pakistan after impressing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Islamabad United.
Hesson-coached Islamabad United are currently at the top of the PSL 2025 table with five wins from five matches. One of the biggest achievements for Hesson at the international level was taking New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final. Reportedly, PCB considered his candidature even in 2019 and 2024, but things did not work out.
Hesson vs Mahmood for Pakistan coach post
PCB is expected to announce the new coach and Aaqib Javed’s replacement by the start of the West Indies tour on 31 July.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who has been associated with the national team in different coaching roles over the last 10 years, is also interested in becoming the next head coach.
“I’m definitely going to apply for the Pakistan team head coach role,” Azhar told PakPassion.
Mahmood is currently employed with the Pakistan team as their assistant coach and was also the bowling coach in the past.
Coming back to Hesson. The 50-year-old was with the Bengaluru franchise for four years from 2019 to 2023 and helped them reach the playoffs in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMo Bobat is now the Director of Cricket Operations at RCB, while Andy Flower is the head coach.
While Hesson is a solid choice, PCB’s ongoing tussle with former head coach Jason Gillespie, who has accused them of not clearing his dues , could impact the New Zealander’s decision.