Pakistan’s Test cricket troubles have intensified after their heavy defeat to England at Lord’s, with reports suggesting that the team could undergo a major coaching change ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson is reportedly set to take charge of the Test side following Pakistan’s 194-run loss at Lord’s on Sunday, a result that gave England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
According to Geo News, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked Hesson to oversee the red-ball team, with the New Zealander expected to join the dressing room for the Edgbaston Test, beginning on September 9 in Birmingham.
Hesson had initially traveled to London alongside Pakistan’s Director of High Performance Aqib Javed. However, following the team’s latest defeat, his responsibilities have reportedly been expanded to include the Test squad.
The development has also cast doubt over the future of former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who currently serves as the Test head coach. Geo News reported that Sarfaraz could be relieved of his duties after the England tour, potentially paving the way for Hesson to assume responsibility for the Test team.
The report said it was “highly likely” that Hesson would take over the Test coaching role after the ODI and T20 series, with Sarfaraz expected to leave the position following the England tour.
However, the PCB has not officially confirmed Hesson’s reported involvement with the Test squad or announced any permanent change to the coaching structure. It is also unclear whether his presence at Edgbaston would be a temporary arrangement or the beginning of a broader restructuring.
If Hesson eventually takes charge of all formats, Pakistan could have a single head coach overseeing both the Test and white-ball teams. For now, however, no such decision has been formally announced.
CHANGES TO PAKISTAN’S TEST SQUAD
The reported coaching developments come alongside further changes to Pakistan’s Test squad.
Batters Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan have been sent back home after the Lord’s defeat, while Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas have been added to the squad for the final Test.
Pakistan’s batting has been a major concern throughout the series. In the second innings at Lord’s, the visitors were dismissed for 194 while chasing a target of 389.
Saud Shakeel offered the strongest resistance, scoring 97 before being caught near the boundary. His dismissal effectively ended Pakistan’s hopes of producing an unlikely comeback and left him just three runs short of a century.
Shakeel’s 97 remains the highest individual score by a batter from either side in the series so far.
England needed only 18 wickets to seal their 194-run victory, with Imam unable to return to the crease after sustaining a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.
The result also handed England their first Test series victory since December 2024 and further highlighted Pakistan’s struggles with the bat.
Sarfaraz had previously acknowledged that the team’s inability to spend enough time at the crease was among its biggest problems, and the latest defeat has only increased scrutiny on Pakistan’s Test setup.
