Has PCB Appointed Mike Hesson as White-Ball Head Coach and Aqib Javed as Director of High Performance?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mike Hesson appointed as the white-ball head coach.
- Aqib Javed becomes the Director of High Performance.
- Hesson’s role begins on May 26, 2025.
- Javed previously served as interim coach following Gary Kirsten's resignation.
- Hesson’s first assignment may be a series against Bangladesh.
Lahore, May 13 (NationPress) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially declared the appointment of Mike Hesson as the white-ball head coach for the Pakistan men’s cricket team, starting May 26, right after the conclusion of the PSL 2025 season.
Hesson's selection comes after a thorough review of numerous applications for the role, which became available following the Pakistan men’s team's tour to New Zealand in April.
“I am delighted to welcome former New Zealand cricketer and esteemed coach Mike Hesson as our white-ball head coach,” said PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in an official statement.
“Mike carries a vast amount of international expertise and has a proven history of building competitive teams. We eagerly anticipate his guidance and leadership to advance the future of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket. Welcome aboard, Mike!”
Hesson takes over from Aqib Javed, who held the position on an interim basis for five months. Javed stepped in after Gary Kirsten unexpectedly resigned just six months into his two-year contract. Aqib Javed has now been appointed as the Director of High Performance.
“To bolster our cricket framework, we are excited to bring Aqib Javed on board as the Director of High Performance. His new role, alongside Mike Hesson as the white-ball Head Coach, signifies a crucial advancement in our strategic vision for Pakistan Cricket,” Naqvi remarked about Javed's new position.
“Together, their skills and leadership will be vital in the growth, evolution, and triumph of our national setup.”
Hesson's initial task will likely be a five-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh, provided the tour goes ahead as scheduled.
The 50-year-old previously acted as New Zealand's head coach from 2012 to 2018, during which he witnessed a remarkable period where the team established itself as a formidable opponent and reached its first-ever World Cup final in 2015, ultimately losing to Australia. He then transitioned to become the director of cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL in 2019, a position he maintained until 2023.
Currently, Pakistan does not have a red-ball head coach, and there is no timeline for when this role will be filled. Javed also acted as the interim Test coach during Pakistan’s tour of South Africa and the home series against West Indies earlier this year, following Jason Gillespie’s resignation midway through his tenure. Pakistan’s next Test series is set for October at home against South Africa.