Pakistan need multiple leaders in team, not just one captain, says Mike Hesson

Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has outlined a plan to reshape the national team’s leadership culture, pushing for a shift away from the captain-centric model that has long defined Pakistani cricket. The experienced coach wants multiple leaders developed across the squad so the side stays resilient through any captaincy change.

Hesson believes Pakistan’s traditional approach of concentrating all decision-making around the captain comes at a significant cost. The moment a senior player relinquishes the armband, their influence on the team tends to fade entirely, and in Hesson’s view, that loss of continuity is precisely what has made Pakistan vulnerable during periods of leadership change.

“We’re trying to build multiple leaders within the team,” Hesson said on Geo Super, stressing that senior players must remain active contributors both on and off the field regardless of who wears the captain’s armband.

Mike Hesson on Pakistan’s shift to a collaborative leadership model

The national side has already started moving in that direction. During matches and preparation sessions, captains are being encouraged to actively consult experienced teammates and draw on their insight rather than making decisions in isolation. It is a deliberate attempt to build a culture where senior players feel valued and responsible for the team’s overall performance, not just the captain.

Mike Hesson backs PCB’s revamped central contract system

The New Zealand-born coach also expressed support for the Pakistan Cricket Board’s overhauled central contract framework, describing it as a step forward that better reflects the demands of playing across multiple formats. Hesson argued that players deserve to be assessed on their specific roles and contributions rather than measured against a single payment structure that treats all formats equally.

Calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the sport, the veteran coach acknowledged the financial pressures modern players face while insisting that smart contract models can protect the long format’s prestige. Pakistan are building toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, and Hesson is clear that a side with shared leadership at its core will be better equipped to compete when that challenge arrives.