The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called white-ball head coach Mike Hesson to London during the ongoing Lord's Test. The New Zealander, who coaches Pakistan's ODI and T20I teams on a two-year contract, will join the red-ball setup to provide support to the team during the remainder of the tour.
After a seven-wicket win in the tour match at Beckenham, the visiting team suffered an innings and 103-run defeat in the first Test of the ongoing series at Leeds. Their batting struggles continued at Lord's, where they were bowled out for 110 before England extended their lead to 261 runs by stumps on Day 2.
Mike Hesson Set to Join Pakistan’s Red-Ball Setup in England
The Pakistan Cricket Board summoned white-ball head coach Mike Hesson to England during the ongoing Lord’s Test. According to Geo News, Mike Hesson will join the Pakistan team for the remainder of the tour and work closely with the red-ball setup.
🚨 MIKE HESSON JOINS PAKISTAN’S RED-BALL SETUP! 🇵🇰
— Mr Zohaib (@Zohaibfan) August 29, 2026
Mike Hesson is set to travel to England and join the Pakistan squad for the remainder of the tour. 🏏🔥
A big boost for the team! 💪 #ENGvPAK #mikehesson pic.twitter.com/KExdXDkNvp
Hesson will assist the squad during the challenging Test series against England. The New Zealander currently works as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach and manages the ODI and T20I teams under a two-year contract with the PCB.
England Extend Lead After Pakistan Collapse
England began their second innings with a 180-run lead but lost Ben Duckett and Jordan Cox early. Khurram Shahzad dismissed Duckett for one and Cox for 11 to reduce England to 13/2. Joe Root and Emilio Gay then added 47 runs before Mohammad Ali dismissed Root for 24.
England ended Day 2 on 81/3, extending their overall lead to 261 runs. Gay remained unbeaten on 30 off 69 balls, while Harry Brook was seven not out. Shahzad took two wickets and Ali claimed one.
Pakistan’s first innings ended at 110 in 37.2 overs. Ollie Robinson led England’s attack with 4/11 from 13 overs, while Jofra Archer took three wickets and Josh Tongue claimed two. Pakistan lost Shan Masood for one, Abdullah Shafique for five, and Babar Azam for eight.
Azan Awais fought alone for Pakistan, scoring 46 off 102 balls with seven boundaries. He added 33 with Saud Shakeel, who made 16, and 28 with Mohammad Rizwan, who scored seven.
Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue Rescue England Before Pakistan Collapse
England resumed Day 2 on 248/9 and added 42 runs in 10.4 overs to reach 290. Gus Atkinson scored 45 off 46 balls with six boundaries, while Josh Tongue remained unbeaten on 30 off 48 balls. The pair added 47 for the final wicket.
Mohammad Abbas was Pakistan’s best bowler, finishing with 4/73 from 20 overs after taking four wickets on Day 1. Mohammad Ali claimed three wickets, while Shahzad and Ali Usman took one each. Earlier, Jamie Smith top-scored with 61, Jordan Cox made 55, and Dan Lawrence scored 17.
Pakistan had controlled much of the opening day despite rain and bad light limiting play to 56 overs. Abbas removed Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and Joe Root, while Ali dismissed Harry Brook and Smith. England slipped to 180/5 before Cox and Smith helped rebuild the innings.
Also read: Imam-ul-Haq accused of faking injuries by ex-Pakistan selector
