Former South African cricketer Michael Smith has been appointed batting coach of the Pakistan men's team on a two-year contract, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Tuesday. The 46-year-old will work with the national side across both red-ball and white-ball cricket and will join the squad before the three-match Test series against England, which begins on August 19.
Who is Michael Smith, Pakistan's new batting coach?
Michael Smith is a former South African first-class cricketer and qualified coach who has been appointed as Pakistan men's batting coach for two years. He will oversee batting across all formats and joins the team ahead of the upcoming Test series against England.
Smith played 89 first-class matches, 72 List A matches and 16 T20s between 2003 and 2013. The right-handed batter scored 7,029 runs across the three formats, including nine centuries and 40 half-centuries during his playing career.
What coaching experience does Michael Smith bring?
Smith holds a Level 4 coaching qualification and has built extensive coaching experience in franchise and domestic cricket. He has been part of the coaching staff of HBL PSL franchises Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans.
He has also served as batting coach for Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania. As a coaching consultant, Smith has worked with South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province, adding further experience to his coaching résumé.
When will Michael Smith begin his role with Pakistan?
Smith has been appointed for a two-year term and will begin his role ahead of Pakistan's three-match Test series against England, which starts on August 19. His first assignment with the national team will be working with the squad during the England series as Pakistan prepare for the new season.
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