Smith targets batting depth for World Cup

Pakistan’s batting coach stresses adaptability and problem-solving across conditions

Pakistan’s South African batting coach Michael Smith wants the country's batsmen to develop greater adaptability and depth as the team begins a year-long build-up to the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Pakistan's preparations will include an extensive programme of One-Day International cricket at home and abroad, with the upcoming ODI tri-nation series providing an opportunity to assess batting options and prepare for varying playing conditions.

Smith, a former South African first-class cricketer, said Pakistan's recent Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka had offered useful preparation, particularly on pitches with additional pace and bounce.

“I think we played really well against Sri Lanka on some wickets that we asked for a little bit of pace and bounce because that's what we are going to be getting in 12 months' time in the World Cup,” Smith told PCB Digital.

He stressed the importance of adapting to different surfaces, noting that teams could encounter contrasting conditions during the tournament.

“In the World Cup you are going to be playing in different places in South Africa and Zimbabwe where you could come across five different pitches in five different games,” he said.

Smith identified problem-solving as a key component of his coaching philosophy, saying batters needed to make sound decisions against different bowling attacks and adjust their approach according to match situations.

“The biggest thing that we talk about is problem solving and being able to have the skillset to play on different wickets against different bowling attacks,” he said.

Pakistan have several experienced options in their squad, including Babar Azam, who has scored 20 ODI centuries, and Fakhar Zaman, the country's only double centurion in the format. Salman Ali Agha has also emerged as a consistent contributor, having scored more than 1,000 ODI runs since the 2023 World Cup.

The squad also includes younger batsmen and wicket-keeping options, while all-rounders Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Arafat Minhas could strengthen the lower order.

Smith said Pakistan needed sufficient depth across all batting positions rather than relying on a small group of established players.

“We don't want to be a team that relies on two or three players. We want to know who our two or three best players are in every position and hopefully give them enough experience so we can set them up for success,” he said.

The coach added that building a winning mentality would be equally important during the preparation period.

“Winning games from different places is the true hallmark of really good teams,” Smith said.

Pakistan will use the tri-series to evaluate their options while balancing the need to win matches with giving players opportunities to establish themselves ahead of the global tournament.