The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the appointment of Michael Smith, a former South African cricketer, as the batting coach for the Pakistan men's cricket team. His tenure will last for two years, as confirmed by the PCB on Tuesday.
Smith, 46, is set to join the team in preparation for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which is scheduled to begin on August 19. The PCB's press release emphasized that Smith will be involved with the team across both red-ball and white-ball formats, indicating the board's commitment to enhancing the batting capabilities of the squad.
Throughout his playing career, which spanned from 2003 to 2013, Smith showcased his talent in 89 first-class matches, 72 List-A matches, and 16 T20 matches. He accumulated a total of 7,029 runs across these formats, including nine centuries and 40 half-centuries, highlighting his proficiency as a right-handed batter.
In addition to his playing experience, Smith holds a Level 4 coaching qualification, which is the highest coaching certification available. His coaching resume includes stints with three franchises in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL)—Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans. This experience in the PSL will be invaluable as he works to develop the batting skills of the Pakistani players.
Smith's coaching journey also includes roles with the Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania in Australia, where he served as a batting coach. Furthermore, he has contributed as a coaching consultant for South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province, adding to his diverse coaching portfolio.
Before Smith's appointment, Asad Shafiq, a former Test batter, was named the interim batting coach for the Pakistan team during the Bangladesh Test series in April 2026. Shafiq is currently accompanying the team for its two-match Test series in the West Indies. Prior to Shafiq, Shahid Aslam held the batting coach position, having taken over from former Test captain Mohammad Yousuf in November 2024.
Smith's arrival marks a significant step for the PCB as they look to bolster their coaching staff and improve the team's performance in international cricket. With the England series on the horizon, the focus will be on how quickly Smith can implement his strategies and enhance the batting lineup of the Pakistan men's cricket team.
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