Pakistan have appointed former South African first-class cricketer Mike Smith as the batting coach of their national Test side ahead of the upcoming tour of England, replacing Asad Shafiq in the role, according to reports. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is expected to formally announce the appointment a few days before the series gets underway.

How the Appointment Came About

The PCB had advertised the batting coach vacancy, and Smith was among fewer than five applicants, according to sources cited in reports. 'PCB advertisement did not attract more than five applications as foreigners see the post in Pakistan team as short-lived for the reason of frequent changes,' sources were quoted as saying. Smith applied for the role and is set to take charge when Pakistan travel to England, sources added on condition of anonymity.

Smith holds a Level 4 coaching qualification and has prior experience within Pakistan's domestic cricket ecosystem, having previously worked with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Why Asad Shafiq Was Replaced

Shafiq's tenure drew criticism on the grounds that he was simultaneously serving in multiple capacities — as batting coach, a member of both the men's and women's selection committees, and head of the PCB Academy in Karachi. 'Shafiq was wearing four caps and his role as batting coach was a diversion for him as well as ineffective,' sources said. The overlap of responsibilities was seen as diluting his effectiveness in any single role.

A Pattern of Instability in Coaching Roles

Smith becomes the fourth batting coach Pakistan have cycled through in roughly three years, following Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Andrew Puttick, and Shafiq. Critics argue this revolving door has made the position unattractive to overseas candidates, who reportedly view it as too short-lived to be a viable career move. The low application count — reportedly under five — reflects that concern.

Pakistan's Batting Crisis in Context

The appointment comes at a critical juncture. Pakistan have reportedly lost eight successive Tests abroad — described as the worst such sequence in their history. Most recently, they failed to chase a modest 211-run target in the first Test against the West Indies at Tarouba, leaving them staring at their first series defeat against the Caribbean side in 26 years. The England tour, therefore, arrives under significant pressure, with structural batting fragility now a matter of public record.

What Comes Next

The PCB is expected to make a formal announcement before the England series begins. Whether Smith can stabilise a batting unit that has visibly struggled in overseas conditions — particularly against moving-ball attacks — will be the defining question of his tenure. Industry observers note that coaching continuity, more than any individual appointment, may be the deeper fix Pakistan need.