Search form

You are here

  • Home
  • Pakistan appoint New Zealand’s Mike Hesson as new cricket white-ball coach


Pakistan appoint New Zealand’s Mike Hesson as new cricket white-ball coach

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson gestures prior to the one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland on March 4, 2017. (AFP/File)
Short Url

https://arab.news/vfuuc

Updated 13 May 2025
Follow

Pakistan appoint New Zealand’s Mike Hesson as new cricket white-ball coach

  • Hesson, currently head coach of Pakistan franchise Islamabad United, has coached Kenya and New Zealand in previous stints
  • Former interim white-ball coach and ex-pacer Aaqib Javed has been appointed as Director of High Performance of Pakistan cricket
Updated 13 May 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Tuesday it had appointed New Zealand’s Mike Hesson as the national cricket squad’s white-ball coach from May 26 onwards. 

Hesson replaces former Pakistan fast bowler and interim white-ball coach Aaqib Javed, who was appointed to the post in November 2024. Pakistan haven’t had a full-time white-ball coach since Gary Kirsten resigned in October last year following disagreements with the cricket board. 

Hesson brings vast coaching experience to the table. He has served as the head coach of various international teams such as Kenya and New Zealand in the past. He is also currently serving as head coach of the Islamabad United franchise, the defending champions of the Pakistan Super League.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today announced the appointment of Mike Hesson, as the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s cricket team effective from 26 May, 2025,” the PCB said in a statement. 

“Hesson comes in to fill the post after evaluation of numerous applications received against the vacancy, which fell vacant after Pakistan men’s team tour to New Zealand in April.”
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi praised the appointment, saying that Hesson brings with him “a wealth of international experience and a proven track record of developing competitive sides.”
“We look forward to his expertise and leadership in shaping the future of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket,” he said in a statement. 
Pakistan’s cricket analysts and commentators have blamed the national team’s lackluster performances over the past couple of years due to frequent changes in the coaching and selection staff. 
Last April, former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie was appointed as Test coach on a two-year deal. However, he resigned in December just before Pakistan’s home Test series against South Africa.
Javed, meanwhile, has been appointed by the PCB as Director of High Performance, the board confirmed. Javed will be responsible for leading and overseeing the high-performance cricket program in the country which ensures athletes are equipped to perform under high pressure conditions. 
“His appointment, alongside Mike Hesson as the white-ball Head Coach, marks a significant step forward in our strategic vision for Pakistan Cricket,” the board said.

Topics: Pakistan cricket team Pakistan cricket Mike hesson

Pakistan launches ‘massive operation’ against armed gangs entrenched along Indus River in Sindh

Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan launches ‘massive operation’ against armed gangs entrenched along Indus River in Sindh

  • The area has long been used by armed gangs of dacoits blamed for kidnappings and extortion
  • Sindh government says it will provide required resources to the police to carry out the operation
Updated 5 sec ago
Kashaf Rehman

ISLAMABAD: The Sindh administration announced on Wednesday it was launching a “massive operation” against the infamous decoits operating in the marshy area along the Indus River, which has long been a sanctuary to heavily armed criminal gangs involved in kidnappings, extortion and violent assaults on travelers and law enforcement.

The riverine belt, known as the Katcha, has dense vegetation and rugged terrain that spans parts of northern Sindh and southern Punjab. The area has been home to gangs that kidnap truckers and commuters for ransom, using the difficult terrain to evade capture.

Authorities have periodically launched operations and joint crackdowns with Punjab police and Rangers to reclaim the territory and establish their writ, but the outlaw presence has persisted.

Speaking in Sukkur to a group of journalists, Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar said the crackdown this time would be resolute.

“We are going toward a massive operation,” he said. “Whatever resources we have, we are going to use them.”

“It will be a targeted operation against high-profile decoits who are also visible on social media,” he added. “They will face ruthless action.”

Lanjar said the authorities would not spare anyone who resisted, though those who surrendered under due process would be given a legal opportunity.

He emphasized that absconders and criminals would face stern action and expressed confidence in the Sindh Police’s capabilities, saying they had the support of the Rangers.

When asked about the timing and whether the administration would provide necessary equipment, including drones and armored personnel carriers to the police, he said: “We will provide all necessary equipment needed to carry out this operation. Consider it started as of today.”

Lanjar also said the Sindh government would seek help from neighboring Punjab if needed.

Last month, police rescued about a dozen bus passengers after they were abducted by a gang of Katcha dacoits from a highway near the Sindh-Balochistan border.

The incident highlighted the ongoing threat posed by these criminal groups along major transport routes.

Topics: Operation in Sindh

Latest updates

Pakistan launches ‘massive operation’ to reclaim Indus River zone overrun by criminal gangs
Syria says impossible to move forward in talks without clear binding timeline for Israeli withdrawal
Pakistan Railways targets $3.6 billion revenue amid track expansion, service upgrades
France: working with allies on plan should US make move on Greenland
Karachi-bound bus crashes in fog, killing five in eastern Pakistan

Search form

Print Edition
Read pdf version Subscribe now
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.