Islamabad, May 13, 2025 – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the appointment of Mike Hesson, former head coach of New Zealand, as the new head coach for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket teams.
Hesson will assume his new role starting May 26, just ahead of Pakistan’s highly anticipated T20I series against Bangladesh.
The white-ball head coach position had remained vacant since October 29, following the resignation of Gary Kirsten, who reportedly stepped down due to internal disagreements with PCB officials.
During the transitional period, Aaqib Javed had taken over the role on an interim basis and continued through the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi shared the news on platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that Hesson was selected after thoroughly reviewing several top-tier applications. Naqvi voiced strong optimism, emphasizing that Hesson’s extensive international coaching experience would play a critical role in rebuilding Pakistan’s white-ball cricket setup.
Currently serving as head coach of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Hesson boasts an impressive coaching career. He has previously coached New Zealand’s national team, contributed to Kenya’s cricket development, and held roles across various T20 franchise leagues globally.
In a parallel move, the PCB also confirmed the appointment of Aaqib Javed as the new Director of High Performance. Chairman Naqvi highlighted this as a strategic decision aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s cricketing structure and overall player development system.
Javed stepped down from his interim coaching role following the Champions Trophy. His new appointment signals a major structural shift in the PCB’s leadership, reflecting a long-term vision for high-performance improvement.
These key appointments come at a crucial time, as Pakistan looks to bounce back from underwhelming performances in recent international tournaments.
The upcoming home series against Bangladesh, starting May 25, will officially begin a new era under Mike Hesson’s leadership.
