Karachi: Former South African first-class cricketer and coach Michael Smith has been appointed as the new batting coach for the Pakistan men's cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a statement. Smith, 46, will oversee the team's batting strategies across both red-ball and white-ball formats, stepping into his role ahead of a crucial series against England.

According to International Cricket Council, Smith brings a wealth of experience from his playing days, having featured in 89 first-class matches, 72 List-A matches, and 16 T20 matches between 2003 and 2013. His coaching resume includes stints in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Islamabad United, Karachi Kings, and recently as an assistant coach with Multan Sultans. He has also served as a batting coach for Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania and worked as a coaching consultant for South Africa's KZN Inland and Eastern Province.

Smith's appointment is for a two-year term, marking a significant addition to Pakistan's coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which begins on August 19. The team is currently engaged in a Test series against the West Indies and is placed ninth in the ICC World Test Championship standings.