Michael Smith urges Pakistan to build batting depth ahead of busy ODI season

Pakistan batting coach Michael Smith has stressed the importance of adaptability, problem-solving and batting depth as the team prepares for a demanding 12-month ODI schedule leading up to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Speaking to PCB Digital during Pakistan’s first training session in Rawalpindi on Thursday, Smith said the team must develop the ability to perform on different pitches and against varied bowling attacks, with the upcoming ODI tri-series marking the start of its preparations.

“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,” Smith said.

Pakistan are set for an extensive run of ODI cricket at home and away before the World Cup, scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October and November 2027. The tournament will present different challenges, with teams potentially encountering a variety of playing conditions throughout the competition.

Smith, a former South African first-class cricketer, highlighted the importance of preparing on different surfaces, pointing to Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka as part of the learning process.

“I think we played really well against Sri Lanka in the T20Is 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,” he said.

“So, it is good to play on a whole variety of wickets, not just on one type of pitch.”

The batting coach also emphasised that Pakistan must avoid becoming overly dependent on a handful of players, calling for greater depth across all batting positions before the global event.

“Going to the World Cup, we want to build a lot of depth in all the batting positions. We don’t want to be a team that relies on two or three players,” Smith said.

“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.”

Pakistan have considerable experience in their batting line-up, with Babar Azam having scored 20 ODI centuries in 143 matches. Salman Ali Agha has also been a significant contributor, having accumulated more than 1,000 ODI runs since the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup.

Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s only double-centurion in ODI cricket, is another key option in the squad for the tri-series. The left-hander has registered three of Pakistan’s four highest individual ODI scores, including unbeaten knocks of 210 and 180, as well as an innings of 193. His experience in Bulawayo and Johannesburg could also prove valuable ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

The squad additionally features Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and uncapped wicketkeeper Saad Baig. All-rounders Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Arafat Minhas are expected to contribute to the lower-order batting.

Smith said the challenge would be to identify the most suitable combinations while providing opportunities to emerging players without compromising the team’s immediate results.

“We want to play a winning brand of cricket, and for us that starts now with the tri-series. There is a lot of excitement,” he said.

“The hard part is giving guys opportunities because there are so many quality players.”

He also pointed to the learning environment within the squad, where experienced players can help younger teammates develop their skills and understanding of the game.

According to Smith, the ability to win matches in different situations, whether a team is ahead or behind, is an essential quality of a successful side.

“Winning games from different places, can you win a game from being in front or from being behind? That’s the true hallmark of really good teams,” he said.

Smith, who joined Pakistan before the three-match Test series against England, has now worked with the side across all three formats, including the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka. He has also worked in Pakistan during two seasons of the HBL Pakistan Super League.

With the ODI tri-series approaching, Pakistan will look to use the assignment to assess their batting options, strengthen their combinations and build momentum ahead of the demanding season.

“There is nothing that builds confidence more than going into the World Cup when you have 12 months of really good white-ball cricket,” Smith said.