Pakistan’s new white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, recently appeared on the PCB Podcast in an insightful conversation with former Test cricketer Bazid Khan, where he shared his coaching philosophy and long-term vision for Pakistan cricket.
Drawing on his extensive experience, including his successful tenure with the New Zealand national team, Hesson outlined a player-centric coaching style. He emphasized that his primary role is not to impose his own methods but to help players unlock and maximise their individual potential.
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“Coaching is about trying to maximise talent,” Hesson explained. “It’s not necessarily about telling them the best things I’ve done in my playing days.”
A key theme in his approach is building meaningful relationships with players. Hesson believes that understanding each player’s journey, motivations, and aspirations is crucial to effective coaching.
“Once you understand a player’s journey, you can add value,” he said, describing his method as holistic rather than one-size-fits-all.
Communication also plays a central role in Hesson’s strategy. He stressed that players deserve clarity about what is expected from them and that observation is essential before offering guidance.
“It’s about observing a player first before deciding when to intervene,” he noted.
Hesson is also keen to work closely with Pakistan’s domestic cricket setup, identifying promising players early and ensuring they’re prepared to perform at the international level. He plans to actively engage with domestic talent, creating defined pathways for development.
“There’ll be identified groups of players where I’ll be keen to go and have a look, talk, and meet players,” he said.
While results are important, Hesson’s focus extends beyond short-term performance. He expressed a desire to build a sustainable model that will benefit Pakistan cricket long after his tenure ends.
“I would like the Pakistan public to say, ‘This is a great team to watch.’ If when you leave, things fall over, then you haven’t done a great job.”
Mike Hesson’s vision is clear: to create a strong, consistent, and exciting Pakistan team with a structure that nurtures talent and ensures long-term success. His philosophy reflects a modern and thoughtful approach to coaching—one that values trust, development, and sustainability over short-term gains.
