Mohammad Hafeez (L) & Sarfaraz Ahmed (Source: AFP Photos)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and their drama around players and coaches never get old whenever things go south. And they hit the panic button once again as Pakistan bring another new head coach for Tests in the middle of the ongoing England tour.
With the PCT of 16.67, having got two wins in eight matches, Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the ongoing nine-team World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Ever since WTC began in 2019, many individuals have served as Pakistan's head coach for red-ball cricket.
In this article, let’s find out who Pakistan's head coaches were in the WTC and how they have fared for the country.
Mickey Arthur (2016-2019)
Pakistan had Mickey Arthur as their head coach when the WTC began. He signed the PCB contract for all three formats in May 2016, replacing Waqar Younis after the T20 World Cup in that same year.
The biggest achievement in Arthur’s career as Pakistan head coach was helping his side rise to No. 1 Test side in the ICC rankings. However, it was well before the WTC began, months after he became the coach in 2016.
Even though Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 under Arthur, he did not see much of a success in Tests, having won 10 matches while losing 17 and drawing once before losing his job in August 2019.
Misbah-ul-Haq (2019-2021)
A month after being sacked, Arthur was replaced as Pakistan head coach by Misbah-ul-Haq, the captain under whom Pakistan became the No. 1 Test side. It was the first ever coaching stint for Misbah.
Compared to Arthur, Misbah did well, as Pakistan won seven and lost six matches in 16 outings in red-ball cricket under him. However, most of his Test success, which included against South Africa and Sri Lanka, among others, came at home.
In September 2021, Misbah stepped down from the position, citing too much work in a bio-secure environment which did not allow him to spend time with his family.
Saqlain Mushtaq (2021-2023)
Saqlain joined as Pakistan Test head coach on an interim basis after Misbah-ul-Haq’s resignation. In February 2022, he was confirmed as Pakistan's full-time Test head coach for the next 12 months, but the PCB did not renew his contract once it expired.
Also Read: Mickey Arthur Ridicules PCB After 7 Players, 2 Coaches Axed Midway In England
Saqlain was in charge for Pakistan’s 10 Tests. Of them, they won three, lost four, and drew three games.
Grant Bradburn (2023)
Pakistan appointed Grant Bradburn as their new head coach across formats in 2023, but he managed to take charge of two Tests before he was shifted to another department and later resigned in January 2024.
Bradburn was Pakistan’s Test coach for two matches in Sri Lanka, and they won both of them, with Babar Azam in charge as captain.
Mohammad Hafeez (2023)
Mohammad Hafeez took over Bradburn as Pakistan Test coach for a brief period. He was more of a stopgap fix when Pakistan were about to tour Australia and New Zealand later in 2023.
There, Pakistan had three Tests under Hafeez, all against Australia. He lost all of them.
Jason Gillespie (2024)
In April 2024, Jason Gillespie became Pakistan’s head coach for Tests. Later in December, he quit his role at PCB.
In between, the Australian pacer had chances to be in charge of Pakistan in seven Tests. There, he had three wins and four defeats.
Azhar Mahmood (2025)
Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood only had one series as the country’s head coach for Tests. It was against reigning WTC champions, South Africa.
He did more than a decent job, as Pakistan drew 1-1 against South Africa.
Sarfaraz Ahmed (2026)
Sarfaraz Ahmed took charge as Pakistan head coach in April 2026. Since then, Pakistan have lost two Tests in Bangladesh, won once and lost once in the West Indies, and already suffered a 0-2 defeat on the ongoing England tour.
It is still unclear whether Sarfaraz will be in Pakistan’s coaching responsibilities after the England tour. However, it is for sure he won’t be there as their Test head coach.
Mike Hesson (2026-Present)
Mike Hesson is the latest name in the running for Pakistan’s coach in the WTC, the ninth individual since the Test competition began. Now only time will tell how long it lasts.
Important to mention that Hesson is currently serving as Pakistan’s white-ball coach as well.
Also Read: Major Resignation Rocks PCB As Pakistan Cricket Crisis Deepens
