Pakistan cricket has found its new batting coach. The Pakistan Cricket Board has reached an agreement with former South African first-class player Michael Smith, who will now oversee batting duties across both red-ball and white-ball setups. Smith previously coached in the Pakistan Super League with Islamabad United and served as Multan Sultans’ assistant coach earlier this season. His appointment fills a role that has sat vacant for months, and his first task will be a demanding one: guiding Babar Azam’s side through a three-Test tour of England.
Pakistan Fills a Long-Standing Coaching Gap
Pakistan’s setup has lacked a dedicated batting coach for some time. Umar Gul continues to handle bowling duties for the Test side, but batting responsibilities have been split unevenly, with national selector Asad Shafiq occasionally stepping in. Smith, who holds a Level 4 coaching qualification, is expected to take on the role full-time once his appointment becomes official. The move comes at a moment when Pakistan’s batting has drawn heavy criticism, particularly for repeated collapses in Test matches.
Batting Collapses Push Pakistan Toward Change
The numbers explain why this appointment matters. In the recent Test against West Indies, Pakistan squandered a strong position at 244 for 3, losing their last seven wickets for just 38 runs. They were then bowled out for 120 while chasing 211 in the fourth innings. This is not an isolated failure. Pakistan have lost 13 of their last 17 Tests, and their lower order has been especially fragile. As has been evident from the beginning of 2025, the last four batsmen have managed to score just 9.91 runs per wicket, the lowest among all countries that play Test matches. The bowlers for the country haven’t contributed much either, having conceded 27.02 runs per wicket against the tail enders since May 2024. Smith now carries the responsibility of turning these numbers around before they define Pakistan’s Test campaign.
England Tour Marks Immediate Test for New Coach
Smith’s first assignment leaves no room for a gradual start. Pakistan open their three-match Test series against England on August 19 in Leeds, and the pressure will be immediate. English conditions have historically tested visiting batting line-ups, and Pakistan’s recent form suggests they cannot afford another slow start with the bat. Smith will need to address both technical gaps and the mental lapses that have repeatedly derailed Pakistan’s innings once early wickets fall. How quickly he can implement changes will likely shape the outcome of the series, and possibly the broader direction of Pakistan’s Test cricket heading into the next World Test Championship cycle.
Pakistan’s team management has stayed quiet on the finer details of Smith’s contract, including its duration and whether it covers limited-overs cricket beyond the current tour. But with the England series approaching fast, there is little time for a settling-in period. Smith will need to work directly with the batting group over the coming weeks, and results in Leeds will offer the first real indication of whether his appointment can address the fragility that has troubled Pakistan’s batting for more than a year now.
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