Lahore, May 8, 2025: Pakistan assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson have emerged as the leading contenders for the Pakistan men’s cricket team’s head coach position, according to sources cited by a leading sports website on Thursday.
In an effort to expedite the appointment process, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formed a four-member committee tasked with finalizing recommendations for PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The committee includes Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed Syed, Bilal Afzal, national selector Azhar Ali, and former interim head coach Aqib Javed.
As per insider information, six candidates have been shortlisted, with four foreign and two local names in contention. Among the international profiles, Hesson stands out with his previous experience coaching New Zealand and IPL franchises, while Azhar Mahmood — currently serving as Pakistan’s assistant coach — is the most prominent local nominee.
The search for a permanent head coach follows a period of upheaval in Pakistan’s coaching setup. Former Australian pacer Jason Gillespie, who was appointed as red-ball head coach in April 2024 on a two-year deal, resigned in December after a rocky tenure marked by inconsistent team performances and internal discord.
Gillespie’s resignation came on the heels of South African Gary Kirsten’s early exit as white-ball head coach in October — just six months into the role — reportedly due to tensions with PCB officials and issues adapting to Pakistan’s cricketing structure.
Following their departures, Aqib Javed was handed interim coaching duties through the 2025 Champions Trophy and later continued for the white-ball tour of New Zealand. However, the board has now opted against extending his interim tenure further.
Instead, Javed is poised to take over as Director of the High-Performance Centre, a formal announcement of which is expected shortly. He is also likely to retain his role as national selector.
The PCB is expected to finalize and announce the new head coach ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming international assignments later this year.
