PCB appoints Michael Smith as batting coach for two-year term
Synopsis
Pakistan's batting woes have a new face in the dugout — former South Africa cricketer Michael Smith, the PCB's fourth batting coach in three years. With eight straight overseas Test defeats and a looming series loss to the West Indies, Smith inherits one of cricket's most troubled batting setups, just weeks before England arrive.
Key Takeaways
The PCB confirmed Michael Smith as Pakistan's batting coach on a two-year contract on 4 August .
Smith, 46 , played 89 first-class , 72 List-A , and 16 T20 matches for South Africa between 2003 and 2013 .
He has PSL coaching experience with Islamabad United , Karachi Kings , and Multan Sultans .
Pakistan have lost eight consecutive Tests abroad — their worst such run in history.
Pakistan face a first series defeat against the West Indies in 26 years after failing to chase 211 in Tarouba.
Pakistan are ninth in the ICC World Test Championship standings ahead of the England series starting 19 August .
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, 4 August officially confirmed the appointment of former South Africa first-class cricketer Michael Smith as batting coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team on a two-year contract. Smith is set to join the squad ahead of the three-match Test series against England, scheduled to begin on 19 August.
Who Is Michael Smith
The 46-year-old South African brings over two decades of playing and coaching experience to the role. During his playing career, Smith featured in 89 first-class matches, 72 List-A matches, and 16 T20 matches between 2003 and 2013.
On the coaching front, Smith has worked extensively in franchise cricket. He served on the support staff of Islamabad United and Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), and was Multan Sultans' assistant coach earlier this season. He has also held the batting coach role with Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, and served as a coaching consultant for South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province. He will work across both red-ball and white-ball formats with Pakistan.
A Revolving Door in Pakistan's Coaching Setup
Smith's appointment is the latest in a rapid succession of batting coaches for Pakistan. Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Andrew Puttick, and Shafiq have all held the post within the last three years — a churn that critics argue has undermined consistency in the batting unit.
The instability in coaching has coincided with a sharp decline in Test results. Pakistan have now lost eight successive Tests abroad, which is reportedly 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, putting them on the brink of their first series defeat against the West Indies in 26 years.
Pakistan's ICC World Test Championship Position
Pakistan currently sit ninth in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings — a precarious position that leaves little margin for error. According to analysts, they will need to win the majority of their remaining matches to mount any realistic challenge for a top-two finish, which would qualify them for the WTC Final.
This comes amid broader questions about the team's batting depth and technique in overseas conditions — precisely the area Smith will be expected to address from the England series onwards.
What Comes Next
With the England Test series beginning 19 August, Smith has minimal time to assess and integrate with the squad. The appointment signals the PCB's intent to bring in fresh outside perspective after repeated domestic coaching stints failed to arrest the batting slide. Whether a two-year tenure will provide the stability Pakistan's batting has lacked remains to be seen.
Point of View
None delivering one. Smith brings credible franchise experience, but franchise cricket and Test match preparation are structurally different challenges. Pakistan's overseas batting collapse is as much about selection philosophy and pitch-specific preparation as it is about individual coaching. A two-year contract is the right signal of intent; whether the PCB's notoriously interventionist culture allows Smith to actually execute over that period is the more important question mainstream coverage is not asking.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Michael Smith, Pakistan's new batting coach?
Michael Smith is a 46-year-old former South African first-class cricketer who played 89 first-class, 72 List-A, and 16 T20 matches between 2003 and 2013. He has coaching experience in the PSL with Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans, and has also worked with Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania.
When does Michael Smith join the Pakistan team?
Smith will join Pakistan ahead of their three-match Test series against England, which begins on 19 August. He will work across both red-ball and white-ball formats.
How long is Michael Smith's contract with PCB?
The PCB has appointed Michael Smith on a two-year contract as batting coach of the Pakistan men's cricket team.
Why does Pakistan need a new batting coach?
Pakistan have lost eight consecutive Tests abroad — reportedly the worst such sequence in their history — and recently failed to chase 211 against the West Indies. The team has seen four different batting coaches in three years, reflecting persistent concerns about batting consistency in overseas conditions.
Where do Pakistan stand in the ICC World Test Championship?
Pakistan are currently placed ninth in the ICC World Test Championship standings. They will need to win the bulk of their remaining matches to challenge for a top-two finish and a place in the WTC Final.
