Pakistan’s white-ball coach Mike Hesson revealed that he would be interested in continuing as the team’s Test head coach alongside his existing white-ball duties. Hesson was handed the red-ball duties on an interim basis a few days ago, following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed after the defeat at Lord’s sealed Pakistan’s series loss. Though Hesson had earlier made it clear that his Test assignment was temporary, his experience during the third and final match has changed his viewpoint. Speaking after Pakistan’s eight-wicket defeat in the third Test on Saturday, Hesson expressed optimism about the resources available to the side in the longer format. 

"I'd be open to it, for sure. I love Test cricket, and I think that there's enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we can provide some good direction, we can make some strides going forward. It's not going to happen in a game or two, but I think there's some skill there I'd certainly be considering looking after,” Hesson said at a press conference.

Pakistan’s defeat in the third Test at Edgbaston, however, has also highlighted how much work remains. Pakistan’s first-innings collapsed dramatically as they were bowled out for 133. There was a fightback in the second innings, but by then things had already slipped through their hands. 

"The team hasn't just struggled in the last week or two; it's been a year or two in the making. I think the attention to detail around basic things as a team needs work. That's not just the playing 11; that's right through the squad. It's a matter of trying to find skill sets that suit Test cricket, rather than necessarily just runs and wickets. That’s an element in some respects.”

"You need players that can play high pace and that can bring different elements to Test cricket. Some of those you know you can find in first-class cricket in terms of performance, and for some you have to identify skill. In Pakistan, there's always a lot of talk about having a lot of natural talent, and there is. But at times, we have to be brave in terms of picking players that we think have those skills."