Mohsin Ali
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan interim head coach Mike Hesson has said he is open to taking charge of the national Test side on a permanent basis alongside his white-ball responsibilities following Pakistan’s eight-wicket, series-ending defeat to England.
“I’d be open to it, for sure,” Hesson told reporters after the third Test. “I love Test cricket and there’s enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we provide some good direction, we can make some strides going forward.”
Hesson took over the red-ball side on an interim basis less than two weeks ago after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed following the series defeat at Lord’s.
The New Zealander said he was encouraged by the talent available in Pakistan cricket but cautioned that meaningful improvement would require time.
“It’s not going to happen in a game or two but there’s some skill there I’d certainly be considering looking after,” he said.
Hesson had previously been approached about England’s Test coaching vacancy following Brendon McCullum’s departure, but England eventually appointed Stephen Fleming.
He stressed that his immediate focus remained on Pakistan’s white-ball commitments, with the Asian Games next on his agenda, and said any decision regarding the Test role would involve discussions with the selectors and the PCB.
“I haven’t even contemplated a job offer at this stage,” Hesson said. “By the time that arrives I’m sure we’ll have some discussions about the Test team going forward.”
Hesson also called for a rethink of Pakistan’s Test selection policy, saying the team required players with specific skills rather than merely those scoring the most runs or taking the most wickets in domestic cricket.
“You need players that can play high pace and that can bring different elements to Test cricket,” he said.
“Sometimes we have to be brave in terms of picking players that we think have those skills.”
Pakistan’s Test struggles, Hesson added, were not the result of recent defeats alone but had developed over a longer period.
“The team hasn’t just struggled in the last week or two, it’s been a year or two in the making,” he said, while calling for greater attention to detail throughout the squad.
Hesson nevertheless praised the players for showing character after a difficult start in Birmingham, where Pakistan conceded several early wickets after losing the toss.
“I was really pleased with the way we showed some character the last couple of days,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect, but it was certainly some really good signs.”
Pakistan’s next Test assignment is a two-match home series against Sri Lanka in November.
