Mike Hesson set to stay as Pakistan's interim Test coach for Sri Lanka series, reports say; PCB yet to confirm

Key takeaways

• Mike Hesson, Pakistan's white-ball head coach, is likely to remain in charge of the Test team for the two-match home series against Sri Lanka in November, Geo News reported on Wednesday, citing sources.
• Other outlets report that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has approved the extension, but the PCB has made no formal announcement; its official X account had posted nothing on it as of Thursday evening.
• Hesson took interim charge before the final Test in England, after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed as Test head coach and bowling coach Umar Gul was relieved of his duties.
• The Tests are part of the World Test Championship 2025–27, where Pakistan are bottom of the table.
• Hesson has said he would be "open" to the Test job on a permanent basis.

What is being reported

According to Geo News, Hesson is expected to guide the red-ball side when Sri Lanka play two Tests in Pakistan next month. Several outlets, including CricketAddictor and Times Now, went further and reported that Naqvi had approved the extension of his temporary role. This has not been confirmed by the PCB, so TalkEmber treats it as a report, not an official decision.

How Hesson got the job

The PCB shook up the Test set-up after a heavy defeat at Lord's on the recent tour of England. Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed as Test coach, Umar Gul left the bowling role, and seven players were released from the squad, with seven replacements brought in for the last Test. Hesson stepped in for that match on an interim basis while keeping his white-ball duties. Pakistan lost the series 0-3, CricketAddictor reported.

Asked recently if he would take the Test job full-time, Hesson said he loves Test cricket and believes Pakistan have enough talent to make "strides forward", but added that it would not happen "in a game or two". He also said his main white-ball focus was the upcoming Asian Games.

The Sri Lanka Test series

Pakistan sit last in the WTC 2025–27 standings with five points and a points percentage of 4.63, according to CricketAddictor, so both matches matter.

Before that: the ODI tri-series

Hesson's immediate job is the white-ball side. Pakistan, fresh from a 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, now face England and Sri Lanka in an ODI tri-series. Speaking to the media, Hesson called England "the world's number-one team" and said it would be a tough series. He also backed captain Sahibzada Farhan to grow into the role and said new fast-bowling coach Shaun Tait would help the pace attack.

What to watch

• A formal PCB announcement on the Test coaching staff and squad for the Sri Lanka series.
• Whether the board moves to appoint a permanent Test coach after November.
• How Hesson manages both roles with the tri-series and Asian Games close together.