Pakistan cricket has been plunged into fresh internal chaos and administrative turmoil amidst their ongoing Test series in England. In a sudden and drastic move, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to recall seven players from the squad mid tour. Furthermore, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been stripped of their responsibilities with immediate effect. To add to the ongoing shakeup, chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq has been dismissed from his post, with the board demanding a formal explanation from him regarding recent performances. This swift series of decisions has brought the internal friction within Pakistan cricket back into the global spotlight.
Mike Hesson Takes Charge Amid Managerial Instability
Following the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed, the board appointed Mike Hesson as the new head coach of the Test team. With this appointment, Mike Hesson becomes the sixth individual to coach the Pakistan Test side in just three years. The PCB has continuously struggled to establish stability in its coaching hierarchy. Despite placing faith in several former domestic stars, none managed to secure a sustained tenure, effectively turning the head coach position into a game of musical chairs.
A Timeline of Six Coaches in Three Years
The board's history of replacing coaches without granting adequate time is reflected in the numbers over the past three years. New Zealand's Grant Bradburn assumed the role of head coach in May 2023 but was ousted by November 2023, failing to complete even a single year. Subsequently, former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez managed the team from May 2023 to February 2024. Following Hafeez, Australia's Jason Gillespie held the position from April 2024 until December 2024, later leveling serious allegations against the board upon his departure. Azhar Mahmood then served as coach from June 2025 to December 2025. In April of this year, Sarfaraz Ahmed took over the leadership role, only to be removed within three months or approximately 135 days. Now, the mandate rests on Mike Hesson.
LinkedIn Job Posting and T20 League Action
Amidst the management turbulence, the PCB also faced online mockery after posting a job opening for a fielding coach on the professional network LinkedIn, prompting fans to humorously suggest hiring a Colonel or Brigadier for the discipline. Meanwhile, in domestic T20 action, the Sher-e-Punjab T20 League witnessed historic drama when Abhishek Sharma's team posted a massive 264 runs but still suffered a loss, marking the second-highest successful run chase in T20 cricket history.
