Mike Hesson Overnight Becomes Pakistan’s WTC Head Coach, Sarfaraz, Gul Travel Partners

Sarfaraz Ahmed was replaced by Mike Hesson as Pakistan Test coach [Source: AFP]

Pakistan Cricket team have undergone a massive change overnight after what seemed like a destined fate for the team. The team suffered two defeats in England in the first two Tests, losing the series, which triggered some massive shuffles in the team setup.

As per a recent Cricbuzz report, the Pakistan Test coach, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been removed from their positions. Interestingly, Ahmed was brought into the setup as coach in April, marking the end of his role after a short four-month span.

Sarfaraz Ahmed removed as the Test coach of Pakistan

The development reported the major crack of the whip brought by the Pakistan Cricket Board, that have now positioned Mike Hesson as the red-ball coach for the rest of the WTC 2025-27 cycle, effectively removing Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Umar Gul, the bowling coach who was appointed on the same date as Sarfaraz, will also lose his position, although the report claimed that both of these officials will be travelling with the team alongside Mike Hesson, the current white-ball coach of the Men in Green.

“Hesson will coach the red ball squad for the remainder of the WTC matches in the current cycle — two in Sri Lanka in November and two more in New Zealand early next year. Current Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been sidelined, although they will continue to travel with the side,” the report read.

As things stand now, Hesson is ready to arrive in Birmingham ahead of the 3rd England vs Pakistan Test on September 9. Hesson will be linking up with the squad, which will also have potential new call-ups to the squad after the removal of Salman Agha.

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How did Sarfaraz Ahmed fare as Test coach of Pakistan?

Sarfraz Ahmed's stint as Pakistan's red-ball head coach has been worrisome. Since taking the helm, he has guided the team on six occasions, specifically during the Bangladesh, West Indies and England tours. 

Out of those six matches, Pakistan have managed to win only one while losing the other five, resulting in a win-loss ratio of 0.2. The only win came under Babar Azam against the West Indies, while the team suffered a whitewash against Bangladesh.

To give him some credit, all of these matches were played away from home, with only the Bangladesh tour taking place in Asian conditions. However, the team lacked consistency in both batting and bowling performances.

Mike Hesson looks to revive failures of Pakistan in the rest of WTC cycle

Under Umar Gul, the highest wicket-taker has been Mohammad Abbas, with 28 wickets from nine innings. The pace-bowling unit has done decently, with Khurram Shahzad being the second-highest wicket-taker since Umar Gul's appointment, while Mohammad Ali is third with 15 wickets from seven innings.

The batting woes, however, have been considerable. Babar Azam has been the highest run-scorer since Sarfraz Ahmed's appointment, averaging 53.66. However, most of Pakistan's top-order batters have averaged in the 20s, with the top order averaging only 28 runs between April and August 2026. 

This was clearly a concern for the upper management, with Pakistan also registering eight ducks during these four months of Test cricket. The shift to Hesson will be something Pakistan will be looking forward to.

Interestingly, Mike Hesson has extensive experience in red-ball coaching. He had a highly successful six-year tenure as the head coach of the New Zealand cricket team from 2012 to 2018 and managed to win eight of the country's 11 home Test series, including a memorable series victory in South Africa.

Hence, his appointment seems apt for the PCB, with Hesson now set to become the all-format coach of the Pakistan cricket team.

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