Mike Hesson
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed New Zealand’s Mike Hesson as the head coach of the Pakistan men’s national cricket team for white-ball formats, marking a significant step in the board’s efforts to revamp its coaching structure ahead of crucial upcoming tournaments.
The announcement was made on Tuesday through a PCB media release, confirming that Hesson will assume his duties on May 26, just one day after the final of the Pakistan Super League’s 10th edition, scheduled for May 25.
His appointment follows a thorough evaluation process during which the PCB received and reviewed numerous applications from candidates worldwide for the role, which became vacant following Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand earlier this year.
Hesson brings a stellar coaching résumé to the job. He is widely regarded as the most successful head coach in the history of New Zealand cricket. During his tenure from 2012 to 2018, Hesson transformed the Black Caps into a highly competitive unit on the world stage.
One of his crowning achievements was guiding New Zealand to the final of the 2015 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup. In addition to his success with New Zealand, Hesson has also coached Kenya and several other international and domestic teams, making him a seasoned veteran in the global cricketing circuit.
His familiarity with Pakistan’s domestic cricket scene is another plus. Hesson has been head coach of the PSL franchise Islamabad United since 2023 and played a pivotal role in leading them to a title victory in the ninth edition of the tournament earlier this year.
Welcoming the new coach, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his confidence in Hesson’s abilities. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of former New Zealand cricketer and renowned coach Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” he said. “Mike brings with him a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of developing competitive sides. We look forward to his expertise and leadership in shaping the future of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket. Welcome to the team, Mike!”
With Hesson at the helm, Pakistan will be looking to strengthen its white-ball strategy and improve consistency across ODIs and T20Is in preparation for major events such as T20 World Cup 2026.
