LONDON: Pakistan’s continuing cricket administration changes appear set to enter another phase, with the future of the national Test team’s head coach, Sarfaraz Ahmed, reportedly under serious consideration following Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Lord’s.
According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering assigning additional responsibilities to white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, potentially including the affairs of the Test team.
Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat at Lord’s, a result that has reportedly intensified discussions within the PCB regarding the coaching structure of the national side. The development comes after speculation about changes to the Test team leadership, with the coaching setup now also appearing to be under review.
Mike Hesson had initially travelled to London alongside High Performance Director Aaqib Javed in connection with a dinner hosted by King Charles. However, following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s, reports suggest that Hesson could now become more directly involved in the Test team’s affairs.
Initial reports indicate that the PCB has asked Hesson to oversee matters relating to the Test side as well. He is also expected to be with the national squad for the third and final Test against England, scheduled to begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9.
Hesson’s reported presence with the team during the final Test could mark a significant development in Pakistan’s coaching structure. Sources suggest that he may not only be involved in team activities but could also be present in the dressing room, giving him an opportunity to work directly with the Test squad.
The reported move has raised serious questions about Sarfaraz Ahmed’s future as head coach of Pakistan’s red-ball team. If Hesson is formally given responsibility for the Test side, it could signal the beginning of a broader restructuring of Pakistan’s coaching arrangements.
The PCB has already been making changes within the national cricket setup, and the latest development could further alter the responsibilities of coaches and officials working with the Pakistan team.
Hesson currently holds the position of head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. Under the reported plan, his responsibilities could now expand beyond One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 cricket to include the Test format as well.
Such a move would effectively place all three formats of international cricket under one coaching structure. While no final decision has reportedly been announced regarding Sarfaraz Ahmed, the possibility of Hesson taking over Test responsibilities has put the red-ball coach’s position under considerable pressure.
The timing of the reported development is particularly significant as Pakistan prepares for the final Test of the England series. The third match at Edgbaston will provide the team with an opportunity to respond after the disappointing result at Lord’s.
Pakistan’s 194-run defeat has increased scrutiny of the team’s performance, tactics and preparation. The PCB is expected to assess the overall performance of the Test side before making any permanent decisions about the coaching structure.
For Sarfaraz Ahmed, the situation represents a major challenge. The former Pakistan captain has experience of working within the national cricket setup, but the reported move to involve Hesson more closely with the Test team has created uncertainty over his long-term role.
According to the reports, there is a strong possibility that Hesson could assume Test coaching responsibilities after the completion of the England tour. If that happens, Sarfaraz could be removed from his position as head coach of the red-ball side.
However, the final decision rests with the PCB, and the reported developments have yet to result in an official confirmation of Sarfaraz’s removal.
The proposed change could also have wider implications for Pakistan cricket. Having separate coaches for different formats has been used by several international teams to manage the distinct demands of Test and white-ball cricket. On the other hand, a single head coach overseeing all formats can provide greater consistency in team management, selection discussions and long-term planning.
Hesson’s potential involvement with the Test team at Edgbaston would therefore be closely watched. His presence in the dressing room could offer an early indication of how the PCB intends to structure the national coaching setup going forward.
The third Test is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, and will be the final match of the series. Pakistan will be looking to recover from the Lord’s setback, while the PCB will also be monitoring the team’s performance as it considers its next steps.
For now, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s position remains uncertain. But with Hesson reportedly being asked to take a greater role in Test cricket, the possibility of another major coaching change in Pakistan’s national team setup appears increasingly likely.
If the reports materialize, Hesson could soon become responsible for Pakistan’s coaching across all three international formats, while Sarfaraz Ahmed’s tenure as Test head coach could come to an end following the England tour.
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