EXCLUSIVE | Pakistan in Talks with Foreign Coaches for National Cricket Team

Shahid Hashmi
22 Apr 2025
10:11

Pakistan is once again in talks with foreign coaches to take over the struggling national team with former New Zealander Mike Hesson emerging as the front-runner to take over the team once again after the interim head coach Aaqib Javed refused to carry on. 

FRONT RUNNER: New Zealander Mike Hesson
FRONT RUNNER: New Zealander Mike Hesson
A PCB senior official told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) on condition of anonymity.
The Pakistan Cricket Board is looking for a new head coach after Aaqib showed interest in joining the High-Performance Centre and conveyed that he is not interested in continuing as head coach.

The PCB had advertised for the post on its website and sources said it has contacted former New Zealander Mike Hesson, Australian Simon Katich, and New Zealand's current batting coach Luke Ronchi.

The official said
The talk are at a very initial stage and it seems Hesson could be lured in if the negotiations are successful.

All three were previously approached but declined due to their prior commitments.

"There is a problem for Pakistan in hiring a foreigner as a coach after the treatment they meted out to Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn, who both were removed after just six months of their contract following Pakistan's first-round exit in the ODI World Cup in 2023," a source said.

Australian Jason Gillespie and South African Gary Kirsten also left out just a few months into their contract. Gillespie left after the team's tour of Australia last year.

Kirsten submitted a damning report after the team's first-round exit from the Twenty20 World Cup and refused to join the team after his recommendations were not followed by the PCB.

If no foreigner can be roped in, Pakistan can give the reins to former coach Saqlain Mushtaq. Saqlain was in the running before the New Zealand tour but stayed away as his son-in-law Shadab Khan was appointed vice-captain. Under Saqlain, Pakistan did well in Twenty20Is with a semi-final finish in the 2021 World Cup and runners-up in the 2022 World Cup.

Since Gillespie and Kirsten quit, Pakistan suffered a steep decline in all three formats, losing a Test match to the West Indies to finish ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship.

They failed to win a match in the Champions Trophy, crashing out in the first round, and managed to win just one out of nine white-ball matches played on the New Zealand tour in March-April.

Hesson is currently serving as head coach of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League 2025, having led them to the title last year.

IPL 2025 PREVIEW: Focus on top spot as Delhi Capitals meet Lucknow Super Giants in top-order clash
IPL 2025 PREVIEW: Focus on top spot as Delhi Capitals meet Lucknow Super Giants in top-order clash
IPL 2025: Good teams close the game very well, says Shubmin Gill as GT defeat KKR
IPL 2025: Good teams close the game very well, says Shubmin Gill as GT defeat KKR
IPL 2025: Stay in the Present, Advises Coach Carl Crowe as KKR Hope to Bounce Back Against GT
IPL 2025: Stay in the Present, Advises Coach Carl Crowe as KKR Hope to Bounce Back Against GT
IPL 2025: Rohit-Surya Shine, Kohli Leads from the Front as MI, RCB Seal Big Wins
IPL 2025: Rohit-Surya Shine, Kohli Leads from the Front as MI, RCB Seal Big Wins
IPL 2025 PREVIEW: Super Sunday Showdowns: MI, CSK Clash at Wankhede; PBKS Eye Double Over RCB
IPL 2025 PREVIEW: Super Sunday Showdowns: MI, CSK Clash at Wankhede; PBKS Eye Double Over RCB
Follow Telecom Asia Sport!
Comments
No Comments Yet! Be the first to share what you think!
This website uses cookies
This provides customers with a personalized experience and increases the efficiency of visiting the site, allowing us to provide the most efficient service. By using the website and accepting the terms of the policy, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.