Pakistan’s troubles in Test cricket have worsened after a significant loss to England at Lord’s. Following the team’s defeat by 194 runs, which gave England a 2-0 lead in the three-match series, there are now talks of a significant coaching change before the final Test at Edgbaston.
Reports suggest that Mike Hesson, who is currently the head coach for the white-ball formats, may take on the role of overseeing the Test team as well. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly asked him to step in, and he is expected to be in the team’s dressing room for the match at Edgbaston, scheduled to start on September 9. Initially, Hesson had come to London alongside Aqib Javed, Pakistan’s Director of High Performance, but following the latest defeat, his responsibilities have expanded.
This coaching shift raises new questions about the future of Sarfaraz Ahmed, the current head coach for the Test team. It has been reported that Sarfaraz could be replaced after the England series, with Hesson likely taking over the coaching duties.
Sources indicate that it’s quite possible that after the current ODI and T20 series, Hesson will assume full coaching responsibilities for the Test team as well, while Sarfaraz may step down.
As of now, the PCB has not confirmed Hesson’s role with the Test side or made any announcements regarding a permanent change. It’s unclear whether Hesson’s involvement at Edgbaston is a short-term arrangement or part of a wider restructuring of Pakistan’s coaching strategy.
In the meantime, changes are also happening within the Test squad. After the loss at Lord’s, batters Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan have been sent back home, with Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas called up to join the team for the final Test.
Pakistan’s performance with the bat has been a major concern during this series. They struggled in their second innings at Lord’s, being bowled out for just 194 while chasing a challenging target of 389 runs. Saud Shakeel was the standout performer, scoring 97 runs, which remains the highest individual score in the series to date. Unfortunately, his dismissal ended Pakistan’s hopes of mounting a comeback.
England’s victory marked their first Test series win since December 2024 and highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing struggles. Sarfaraz has previously acknowledged that the team’s difficulties in spending quality time at the crease have been a significant issue.
This latest situation illustrates the pressing need for Pakistan to rethink their strategies as they proceed in international cricket.
