PCB appoints new coach ahead of Pakistan Tour Of England 2026 [Source: AFP]The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made an important change to its coaching staff ahead of the Pakistan tour of England 2026. The board has appointed a new batting coach to strengthen the team's support staff before the upcoming Test series.Notably, the new coach replaces former Pakistan batter and current national selector Asad Shafiq, who had been serving as the team's interim batting coach. Asad Shafiq is currently with the Pakistan squad in West Indies and will continue his role as national selector after the new coach takes charge.PCB Appoints Mike Smith As Batting CoachIn a significant development, former South African cricketer Mike Smith has been named as the batting coach of the Pakistan men's team. On August 4, the PCB confirmed that the 46-year-old will work with the team across all formats, including Test and limited-overs cricket, for the next two years. It is important to note that his first assignment will be the three-match Test series against England, which starts on August 19. "Former South African cricketer Michael Smith has been appointed batting coach of the Pakistan men's team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed today," PCB wrote in the press release.Also Read: Watch- Pakistan Bring Comedy To Cricket Again With Shocking DRS BlunderWho Is Mike Smith?Mike Smith enjoyed a successful domestic playing career between 2003 and 2013. The right-handed batter played 89 first-class matches, 72 List A games and 16 T20 matches. Across all three formats, he scored 7,029 runs, including nine centuries and 40 fifties.After retiring from professional cricket, Smith moved into coaching and built a strong reputation as a batting specialist. Notably, he holds a Level 4 coaching qualification and has worked with several franchise teams around the world. In Pakistan Super League (PSL), he has been part of the coaching staff of Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans. Apart from that, he has also worked with Australia's Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania. His experience in Pakistan's domestic and franchise cricket is expected to help him settle into the role quickly.Why Mike Smith's Appointment Is Important For Pakistan?Notably, Smith's appointment comes at a crucial time as Pakistan look to improve their batting performances across formats. In recent series, including the tour of South Africa, the batting unit struggled to handle quality pace bowling and often suffered collapses after getting good starts.With Pakistan set to play a Test series in England, where seam and swing bowling usually play a major role, Smith's experience is expected to be valuable. It is important to note that he will work on improving the batters' technique against moving deliveries and help them adapt to English conditions. The PCB will hope his guidance brings greater consistency and helps Pakistan post stronger totals in challenging overseas conditions.Also Read: BCCI Selects 2 More Indian Players For Sri Lanka Tour 2026
