Michael Smith Named Pakistan Batting Coach on Two-Year Deal
Pakistan appoint Michael Smith as batting coach on a two-year deal ahead of the England Tests to revive their struggling batting unit.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African first-class cricketer Michael Smith as the batting coach of the men’s national team on a two-year contract. The 46-year-old will work with Pakistan across all three formats as the board looks to fix the team’s batting struggles.
Smith will begin his role immediately and join the squad before Pakistan’s three-match Test series against England, which starts on August 19, 2026. His appointment fills a key vacancy after national selector Asad Shafiq served as the batting coach on a temporary basis.
A highly respected Level 4 qualified coach, Smith brings plenty of coaching experience from both Pakistan and overseas. He has previously worked with Pakistan Super League franchises Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans, giving him a strong understanding of Pakistan’s cricket setup.
Outside the PSL, Smith has served as a batting coach for Cricket Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia. He has also worked as a consultant for South Africa’s KZN Inland and Eastern Province, building a reputation as a specialist batting coach.
Before moving into coaching, Smith enjoyed a solid domestic playing career in South Africa. Between 2003 and 2013, the right-handed batter played 89 first-class matches, 72 List A games, and 16 T20 matches, mainly for Eastern Cape teams. Across formats, he scored 7,029 runs, including nine centuries and 40 half-centuries. However, he never earned an international cap for South Africa.
Smith takes charge at a difficult time for Pakistan’s Test team. The side has faced repeated batting collapses in recent years, including a dramatic loss of their last seven wickets for just 38 runs against the West Indies after being in a strong position.
Pakistan’s recent Test record has also increased the pressure on the coaching staff. The team has lost 13 of its last 17 Test matches, making batting consistency one of the biggest priorities ahead of the England series.
The PCB will hope Smith’s experience and familiarity with Pakistan’s cricket environment can help rebuild confidence and bring greater stability to a batting line-up that has struggled to deliver consistently.
