The Pakistan Cricket Board has rung in wholesale changes ahead of its third Test against England, beginning on Wednesday, after it collapsed to an abject series defeat in the first two matches of the series.
Seven players, including senior campaigners Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, have been replaced, while notably, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been sent home. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will replace them for the final Test.
Pakistan has struggled for stability in its head coaching structure in recent times, with 11 coaching appointments across its red-ball and white-ball teams since the departure of Misbah-ul-Haq in September 2021.
Here is a complete timeline of Pakistan’s coaches across formats since September 2021:
Saqlain Mushtaq | September 2021
Saqlain Mushtaq was the first coach to take over after Misbah’s departure, initially fulfilling the role on an interim basis before continuing for a further 12 months.
Abdul Rehman | March 2023
After Mushtaq’s contract ended, Abdul Rehman took over on an interim basis for a T20 series against Afghanistan. The PCB appointed Mickey Arthur in a consultancy role to help it appoint its next permanent coach.
Grant Bradburn | May 2023
Arthur eventually settled on Kiwi Grant Bradburn, who had previously been the team’s fielding coach, as the new coach. Bradburn was appointed on a three-year contract that ran through the 2023 ODI World Cup, but saw his role downsized and eventually departed to join county side Glamorgan.
Mohammad Hafeez | November 2023
Hafeez was appointed as Bradburn’s effective replacement for Pakistan’s tour of Australia in January 2024 as team director, a role that effectively merged with that of head coach. Hafeez departed after tours to Australia and New Zealand.
Azhar Mahmood | April 2024
Mahmood was brought in on an ad hoc basis ahead of Pakistan’s five home T20Is against New Zealand while the PCB searched for a permanent appointment.
Coaching split: Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten | April 2024
The PCB announced that it would split the coaching of the red-ball and white-ball teams. Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie took over the red-ball team, while India’s World Cup-winning coach Gary Kirsten took charge of the limited-overs side.
However, Kirsten resigned in October 2024 after the 2024 T20 World Cup, and Gillespie took over as white-ball coach for six months before quitting himself in December 2024.
Aaqib Javed | November 2024
Javed, who was also a member of the selection committee, first took over from Gillespie as the interim white-ball coach in November 2024 before taking over the red-ball job when the Australian left a month later.
Mike Hesson | May 2025
Former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson was appointed as the permanent white-ball coach after working with Pakistan Super League side Islamabad United. Hesson remains the white-ball coach and has now taken over the Test team on a temporary basis during the ongoing England tour.
Azhar Mahmood | June 2025
Mahmood returned on an interim basis to lead the Test team for its home series against South Africa.
Sarfaraz Ahmed | April 2026
Sarfaraz Ahmed was appointed as the red-ball coach ahead of Pakistan’s home Test series against Bangladesh. He lasted five months before his recent dismissal midway through the ongoing England tour.
Published on Sep 01, 2026
