The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday, August 4, the appointment of former South African first-class cricketer and coach Michael Smith as the men's batting coach on a two-year contract.

The 46-year-old will take charge of both the red-ball and white-ball sides, filling a critical specialist role that had remained vacant for several months. The decision comes amid growing demands for a specialist batting coach following a devastating batting collapse that led to Pakistan's loss in the Tarouba Test against the West Indies last week.

Extensive Coaching Pedigree

Although Smith never represented South Africa at the international level, he arrives with a wealth of experience. A Level 4 qualified coach, Smith has a proven track record on the franchise circuit and is already well-versed in the dynamics of Pakistan cricket, having previously worked with Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

His international resume also includes stints as the batting coach for Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, as well as consultancy roles with South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province.

Immediate Challenges

Smith is expected to join the squad ahead of the three-Test series against England, starting August 19. His primary objective will be to stabilize a batting unit that has suffered from inconsistency, particularly in away fixtures. Pakistan enters the England series having lost eight consecutive away Tests, a streak dating back to the 2023-24 tour of Australia.

Previously, the team had a designated bowling coach in Umar Gul, but the batting responsibilities were being handled intermittently by national selector Asad Shafiq. Smith now takes over these duties on a permanent basis.

As a player, Smith was a prolific right-handed batter between 2003 and 2013, scoring 7,029 runs across 89 first-class matches, 72 List A games, and 16 T20s, including nine centuries and 40 half-centuries.