Mike Hesson open to permanent Pakistan Test role after England approach

Mike Hesson has expressed interest in becoming Pakistan’s permanent Test coach after overseeing the final match of their series in England on an interim basis. BBC Sport reported that the New Zealander, already Pakistan’s limited-overs coach, believes the team has talent to develop but cautioned that improvement would take time.

Watch the highlights:

Hesson also disclosed that his agent had informed him of an approach to discuss his availability for the England job earlier this year. He said he had made clear his commitment to Pakistan. England removed Brendon McCullum as Test coach in July and subsequently appointed Stephen Fleming to the position.

The 51-year-old took over from Sarfaraz Ahmed for the third Test at Edgbaston following Pakistan’s defeats at Headingley and Lord’s. Hesson has held the limited-overs role since May 2025 and previously coached New Zealand from 2012 to 2018. His comments indicate interest in a longer appointment, rather than confirmation of one.

Pakistan lost the Birmingham Test by eight wickets as England completed a 3-0 series victory, but their second innings produced a significant recovery. BBC Sport’s match report recorded totals of 133 and 449 for the tourists, against England’s first-innings 453. Shan Masood made 95, debutant Razaullah 81, Babar Azam 76 and Azan Awais 59 in Pakistan’s second innings.

Razaullah also took four wickets in England’s first innings, including Joe Root in his opening over in Test cricket. His batting helped Pakistan set a target of 130 rather than lose by an innings. The visitors then created another opening when Muhammad Abbas dismissed Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay in the first over of England’s chase, leaving the hosts 2-2.

England recovered through an unbeaten partnership of 128 between Root and Jordan Cox. Root finished on 62 after surviving on 23 when Mohammad Ali’s delivery was ruled a no-ball, while Cox made 59. Pakistan had changed their coach and dropped seven squad members before the match; the late resistance did not prevent another defeat, but it gave Hesson performances to assess beyond the opening-innings collapse.