Mike Smith has previously served as an assistant coach with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.
WEB DESK: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is close to appointing Mike Smith as the national team’s batting coach ahead of the upcoming three-Test series against England.
According to sources, the PCB had been searching for a permanent candidate for the position since the start of the year, and Mike Smith’s appointment is expected once the remaining formalities are completed.
A Level Four qualified coach and former South African first-class cricketer, Mike Smith has also worked as an assistant coach with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, due to which he is familiar with the Pakistani cricket environment.
The PCB had formally advertised the position of permanent batting coach in May and invited applications. The deadline for submitting applications was June 7, after which candidates were reviewed and the shortlisting process was completed.
If Mike Smith’s appointment is finalised, he will take charge of the national team before the Test series against England scheduled to begin this month.
It is worth mentioning that former Test batter Asad Shafiq has been performing the duties of interim batting coach since April 2026. He is also part of the support staff of Test team head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Pakistan and England will begin their three-match Test series on August 19.
Younis Khan: I always told PCB, give me a role but allow me to work freely
Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has said that he always told the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that if he was given a role, he should be provided a full opportunity to work and his hands should not be tied.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, Younis Khan said that he had spoken with several PCB chairmen and often heard that “Younis Khan wants power,” but questioned what he would do with power.
He said he had always told PCB chairmen: “Give me a role, allow me to work, do not tie my hands. Whatever role you give me, let me build the team.”
Younis Khan said that more than power or a package, what mattered to him was the freedom to work and deliver results.
“If I talk about a package, I will talk about the package of the person who is in the weakest position in the team,” he added.
The former captain said a comeback in Pakistan cricket is possible, but players will have to take responsibility.
He said that after the 2003 World Cup, when senior players departed, they took responsibility. “If players think big, the results will also be big and positive,” Younis Khan added.
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