The Pakistan cricket team coach is instrumental in sustaining gifted players, making strides the team’s execution, and planning the national team for international competitions. Pakistan cricket has delivered incredible players like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shahid Afridi and Babar Azam. The coaches have persistently been a tremendous parcel of the victory of the team.
Mike Hesson is the head coach of Pakistan men’s white-ball teams (ODI and T20I) from November 2026, He has been serving as interims head of the Test team and will continue to do so until the conclusion of the advancing ICC World Test Championship cycle.
Mike Hesson brings a richness of international coaching encounter having already worked with New Zealand, Kenya and a number of proficient cricket teams. His arrangement has raised new hopes among Pakistan cricket fans.
In this article, we will go over the biography of Pakistan cricket team coach Mike Hesson, his coaching career, responsibilities, coaching staff, achievements and future plans.
Pakistan Cricket’s Team Coach at a Glance
Pakistan men’s national cricket team Governing body Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) The board will manage the international cricketing activities of the team including selection of player’s and appointment of coaching staff.
Here are some key details surrounding Pakistan’s current coaching setup:
| genre | Details |
|---|---|
| Teams | Pakistan Men’s National Cricket Team |
| Governing Body | The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) |
| White Ball Head Coach | Mike Hesson |
| Interim head coach | Mike Hesson (Interim) |
| Coach de Batting | Michael Smith |
| File type | Tests, ODIs and T20Is |
| Appointment of White-Ball Coach: | 2025 May |
| Coaching Test Responsibility | 2026 |
| The main purpose | Cricket Development International |
Mike Hesson is now in charge of the white-ball team and has also taken interim charge of Pakistan’s Test side.
Who will be the Pakistan cricket team coach in 2026?
Mike Hesson is the current coach of Pakistan’s men white-ball cricket team’s in 2026. He was officially appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board on May 13, 2025, with effect from May 26, 2025.
Before joining Pakistan cricket, Hesson had coached a number of international sides and had earned a reputation as an experienced cricket coach.
He was coach of New Zealand’s from 2012 to 2018. He captained New Zealand to the final’s of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Initially, his role in Pakistan was restricted to ODI and T20I cricket. But after a shake-up of the Test coaching structure in 2026 he was also given interim responsibility for the red-ball side.
The PCB has decided to continue with him as interim Test coach till the end of the current World Test Championship cycle.
Biography and Career as Coach of Mike Hesson
Mike Hesson is a former New Zealand cricket coach and has coached international and domestic teams.
Born in Dunedin, New Zealand on October 30, 1974. He did not play much international football, but established his professional reputation through coaching.
His coaching journey has seen him in New Zealand, Kenya and professional T20 franchises.
Biography of Mike Hesson
| Genre | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name (required) | Mike Hesson – |
| Date of Birth | 30th of October, 1974 |
| Place of Birth | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Profession | Cricket Coach |
| Current Team | Pakistan men’s cricket team |
| Ex-Team | New Zealand |
| Coaching History | International and Domestic Cricket |
| Pakistan Assignment | 5/2025 |
Mike Hesson’s Coaching Journey
Mike Hesson began his coaching journey with domestic and international cricket duties.
He took over in New Zealand, before being appointed head coach of Kenya’s national cricket team.
But at the international level, his most notable coaching spell was coaching New Zealand’s national team between 2012 and 2018.
In this period New Zealand created into a competitive international side and come to the final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
After his departure from the New Zealand coaching work, Hesson remained included in proficient cricket, counting franchise cricket.
Inevitably, his involvement and information of international cricket driven to his arrangement as the head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball team in 2025.
Mike Hesson appointed coach of Pakistan Cricket Team
2025 saw the coming of Mike Hesson, a massive step for Pakistan cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Board selected him after considering a number of candidates for the white-ball coaching post.
His main job would be to make strides the team’s performance within the ODI and T20I formats, prep the youths and get ready Pakistan for big ICC occasions.
In 2026, he was promoted to expanded obligations, taking over the Test side as between times coach taking after the takeoff of Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The PCB later extended his between times Test coaching part till the conclusion of the continuous cycle of the World Test Championship.
This means Hesson is now involved in all three formats of Pakistan men’s international cricket, though his appointment is for the white-ball teams full-time.
Batting Coach Pakistan Cricket Team 2026
The batting’s coach along with the head coach has a major role to play in improving the team’s batting performance.
Michael Smith’s was appointed as the batting’s coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team on August 4 2026.
He is a former South African first-class cricketer who has played’s domestic and franchise cricket’s.
Smith played 89 first-class matche’s, 72 List A matches and 16 T20′ matches between 2003 and 2013.
In these format’s he accumulated 7029 runs which included nine centuries and 40 half-centuries.
He has worked with various professional teams before joining the Pakistan coaching set up including Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans.
He has been appointed for a two-year term and will work with the batting group across red and white ball cricket.
Pakistan Cricket Team Coach Responsibilities
The head coach has many responsibilities beyond preparing players for international games.
Some of the main responsibilities are:
1. Development of Players
The coach’s recognizes the talented players and helps them to improve their batting, bowling, fielding and overall cricketing skills.
2. Planning of Matches
Coaches develop strategies based on conditions of the opposition, pitch, weather and match situations.
3. Enhancing Team Performance
The coaches review previous games and point out areas for improvement for the team.
4. Helping Young Cricketers
‘Young players have to be guided properly, played at international level. Coaches help them gain confidence and consistency.
5. Getting Ready for ICC Tournaments
The head coach and the players and support staff prepare for major events like the ICC Cricket World Cup, T20 World Cup and World Test Championship.
Former Pakistan Cricket Team Coaches
Pakistan has had a rich history of working with a number of experienced international and local coaches.
Here are some notable names:
| Coach | Important Information |
|---|---|
| Bob Woolmer. | Coached Pakistan from 2004-07 |
| Waqar Younis (Waqar Younis) | Served multiple coaching stints |
| Mickey Arthur | Pakistan (Coach) (2016-19) |
| Misbah ul-Haq | 2019–present: Head coach |
| Saqlain Mushtaq | head coach 2021–23 |
| Grant Bradburn ( – | Named head coach in 2023. |
| Gary Kirsten | Named white-ball head coach in 2024 |
| Mike Hesson – | White-ball head coach appointed in 2025 |
These coaches have been a part of different eras of Pakistan cricket and worked on improving the team’s performance at the international level.
Mike Hesson on Future of Pakistan Cricket Team
There is a lot of talent in Pakistan cricket across all three formats and the future is bright.
“Consistency, player development and good planning will be the keys to the team’s future success.
Mike Hesson’s international experience could help Pakistan improve their white ball cricket and build a side good enough to compete at the next ICC events.
His interim stewardship of the Test side is also a chance to maintain coaching continuity through the current World Test Championship cycle.
Young players need to be given a chance to show their talent and become important members of the national team.
“The key goals will be to strengthen batting stability, strengthen bowling, develop young talent and compete for prestigious international championships.
Conclusion
The coach of the Pakistan cricket team has a big role in determining the trajectory of the team and its international performances.
November 2026: Mike Hesson is head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball team and interim head coach of the Test team. His experience of New Zealand, Kenya and professional cricket franchises makes him an integral part of Pakistan’s current coaching setup.
With Michael Smith as batting coach and talented players representing the country, Pakistan will be hoping for more success in international cricket.
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