Mike Smith Takes Charge as Pakistan's Batting Coach for All Formats

The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Mike Smith as the new batting coach for the national team across all formats. Set to join the squad in England for an upcoming Test series, Smith brings extensive experience from the Pakistan Super League. His appointment comes after Asad Shafiq served as interim coach during recent tours. With a history of foreign coaches facing challenges, Smith aims to address Pakistan's ongoing batting struggles, particularly in Test cricket. Read on to discover more about this significant development in Pakistan cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 23:51 IST

New Appointment for Pakistan Cricket Team

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on Tuesday that Mike Smith, a former first-class cricketer from South Africa, has been appointed as the batting coach for the national team across all formats, under a two-year contract.

Smith is set to join the Pakistan squad in England as they prepare for an upcoming three-match Test series.

A Level-4 certified coach, Smith has previously gained valuable experience working with various franchises in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Most recently, he served as the batting coach for the Multan Sultans during the 2026 PSL season.

Asad Shafiq, a former Test player and current national selector, has been acting as the interim batting coach for the team during their recent tours to Bangladesh and the West Indies, following the release of Hanif Malik post the T20 World Cup.

Historically, Pakistan has employed several foreign coaches, including notable names like Gary Kirsten, Jason Gillespie, Steve Rixon, and Dav Whatmore. However, many of these contracts have ended prematurely or faced resignations due to conflicts with the PCB.

Batting performance has been a significant concern for Pakistan, particularly in Test matches, where the team has frequently struggled in recent seasons.