Michael Smith appointed Pakistan men's team batting coach
Smith takes charge ahead of Pakistan's Test series against England after previous roles with Hobart Hurricanes and multiple PSL franchises.
Former South Africa first-class cricketer Michael Smith has been appointed batting coach of the Pakistan men's team on a two-year contract. The 46-year-old played 89 first-class matches between 2003 and 2013 and has worked as batting coach with Hobart Hurricanes, Cricket Tasmania and as assistant coach with Multan Sultans in the PSL.
Smith previously served on the coaching staff of Islamabad United and Karachi Kings in the PSL and worked as a coaching consultant for South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province. He will work with the team across both red-ball and white-ball formats.
Pakistan, currently ninth in the World Test Championship standings, face England in a three-match Test series beginning on August 19.
CricHubb Take
The appointment brings an external perspective into a setup that has cycled through several batting coaches without sustained improvement in the longer format.