Mike Hesson: Pakistan’s Head Coach — Profile, CV & Methods
From New Zealand’s golden era to Islamabad United’s PSL crown to the hottest seat in cricket — Mike Hesson is now the most powerful figure in Pakistan cricket. This is his profile: the CV, the coaching philosophy, and the mountain he has to climb.
Quick answer: Mike Hesson (born 30 October 1974, Dunedin, New Zealand) is Pakistan’s white-ball head coach since 2025, now also overseeing the Test side after Sarfaraz Ahmed’s sacking in August 2026. He coached New Zealand (2012–18) to the 2015 World Cup final and won PSL 2024 with Islamabad United.
In this guide
The CV
- 2012–18: Head coach of New Zealand — took the Black Caps to the 2015 World Cup final; one of NZ’s most successful coaches.
- 2019–23: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL).
- 2023–25: Islamabad United — won PSL 2024.
- 2025–present: Pakistan white-ball head coach; de facto all-format control since August 2026.
Coaching Style
Hesson is known as a planner and developer rather than a shouter: data-driven preparation, clear role definition, and a track record of building young teams — the formula behind New Zealand’s rise and Islamabad United’s PSL title. In September 2026 he called India “the benchmark in white-ball cricket” and said Pakistan’s challenge is “to catch up to that” — a public admission of the gap he must close.
The Pakistan Job
Hesson inherited a team in churn: 11 coaching appointments in five years, six straight defeats to India, and a squad rebuild that saw seven players released in August 2026. After the England Test debacle, the PCB handed him technical and selection control across formats — unprecedented power for a Pakistan coach. His targets: the Asian Games 2026 campaign, stabilising the Test side, and building toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
More: coaches guide · 2026 staff rundown · head coach history.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mike Hesson?
Mike Hesson (born 30 October 1974) is a New Zealand cricket coach — Pakistan’s white-ball head coach since 2025, previously New Zealand’s head coach (2012–18) and Islamabad United’s PSL-winning coach (2024).
When did Mike Hesson become Pakistan coach?
2025, as white-ball head coach. He took de facto control of the Test side in August 2026 after Sarfaraz Ahmed’s sacking.
What has Mike Hesson won as a coach?
He led New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final and won PSL 2024 with Islamabad United.
