The former South African first-class cricketer Michael Smith has been appointed as the Pakistan men’s head coach on a two-year contract.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news on August 04. The 46-year old will work with red-ball and white-ball sides, filling a specialist role that has remained vacant in recent months.
Regarded as a level-4 certified batting coach, Michael Smith will bring in extensive coaching experience gained in both domestic and franchise cricket.
Although he represented South Africa only in first-class cricket during his playing days, he has earned greater recognition for his work as a batting mentor, particularly in the T20 format.
Michael Smith will be joining the Pakistan squad for the upcoming three-match test series against England starting this month.
Pakistan have been designated bowling coach for Umar Gul for the tests, but no full-time batting coach across either format.
National selector Asad Shafiq had occasionally assisted in role, with Smith set to take over the responsibilities on a permanent basis.
Smith brings considerable coaching experience despite not having represented at international level.
A level 4 coach has built a strong reputation on franchise circuit and is familiar with Pakistan cricket. He also served as batting coach with Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, while undertaking consultant role with South Africa’s KZN Inland and Eastern Province.
Michael Smith have featured in 89 first class matches, 72 List A games and 16 T20s between 2003 and 2013. The right handed batter scored 7029 runs across formats, including 9 centuries and 40 half-centuries.
Pakistan are in the bottom of the WTC 2025-27 points table with only one win out of 5 games.
Pakistan is set to travel to England for a three-match test series with the first test to begin on August 19 at Headingley, Carnegie.
The second and third tests will begin on August 27 and September 03 played at London and Birmingham, before the five-match ODI series.