Concerned by frequent batting collapses, Pakistan appoint new batting coach

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African first-class cricketer Mike Smith as the national team's new batting coach ahead of the three-Test tour of England, as it looks to address a string of batting collapses in recent months.

Smith, a Level-4 qualified batting coach with extensive experience in franchise cricket, is expected to begin his stint with Pakistan during the Test series in England, which starts on August 19.

According to a PTI report, the PCB reached a verbal agreement with Smith after shortlisting him from a pool of candidates who applied for the role. The board had invited applications through a public advertisement as part of its search for a long-term batting coach, a PCB source said.

Smith is expected to receive formal clearance to join the Pakistan squad in England later this month. His appointment is aimed at addressing the technical shortcomings that have repeatedly undermined Pakistan's batting across formats.

Smith has earned a strong reputation as a batting coach in franchise cricket and has worked with several Pakistan Super League (PSL) teams. His familiarity with Pakistan's domestic players and playing conditions is believed to have strengthened his candidacy.

He replaces former Pakistan batter and current national selector Asad Shafiq, who had been serving as the team's interim batting coach. Shafiq is currently with the Pakistan squad in the West Indies and will continue in his role as national selector after Smith takes charge.

Pakistan will hope Smith's appointment helps bring greater consistency to a batting unit that has struggled to convert promising starts into substantial totals. The England tour will provide his first assignment as the team seeks to improve its overseas Test record.

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