Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson as head coach for the national white-ball team, with interim staff in place for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.
Hesson, who has coached New Zealand, Kenya, and most recently Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), will officially take charge on May 26. The move comes after a series of underwhelming performances in global tournaments, including the 2023 Asia Cup, 2023 ODI World Cup, and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Interim coaching staff announced for Bangladesh T20Is
With Pakistan set to host Bangladesh for a three-match T20I series starting May 25, the PCB has named an interim support team to manage the squad ahead of Hesson’s arrival.
- Hanif Malik – Batting coach
- Ashley Noffke – Bowling coach
- Mohammad Masroor – Fielding coach
- Naveed Akram Cheema – Team manager
Additional support personnel include:
- Cliff Deacon – Physiotherapist
- Imranullah – Strength and conditioning coach
- Talha Ijaz and Dr. Ali Mustafa – Analysts
- Irtaza Kumail – Security manager
- Syed Naeem Ahmed – Media manager
The PCB is still recruiting permanent staff for key coaching roles, with applications for batting, fielding, and strength & conditioning coaches open until June 6. Until then, Malik, Masroor, and Noffke will serve in interim roles.
Aaqib Javed named Director of High Performance
In a parallel strategic move, Aaqib Javed has been appointed as the new Director of High Performance. Javed’s extensive experience in developing domestic players and understanding of Pakistan’s cricketing infrastructure is expected to complement Hesson’s international coaching pedigree.
White-ball revamp begins under Hesson
Hesson replaces Gary Kirsten, who stepped down in 2024 amid reported disagreements with PCB leadership. His appointment signals a reset in Pakistan’s white-ball strategy as the national side prepares for a busy season ahead.
While the PCB has yet to clarify plans for the red-ball coaching structure, the immediate focus remains on the T20I series against Bangladesh. For Hesson and his interim staff, this marks the start of a potentially transformative era for Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket.
The spotlight will now shift to Lahore, where Pakistan’s revamped coaching unit will be tested immediately against Bangladesh.
