Former ‌South Africa first-class cricketer Michael Smith has been appointed ​batting coach of the Pakistan men’s team across formats on a two-year contract, the country’s cricket board (PCB) said in a statement ‌on Tuesday.

The ​46-year-old ‌will join ⁠the ​Pakistan squad ⁠ahead of their three-match test series against England, which begins in Leeds on August 19.

Before moving ⁠into coaching, he played ‌89 ‌first-class matches, 72 ​List-A ‌games and 16 Twenty20 ‌matches from 2003 to 2013.

Smith has previously worked with Pakistan Super League ‌franchises Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Multan ⁠Sultans ⁠on their coaching staff.

He has also served as batting coach for Australia’s Hobart Hurricanes and Cricket Tasmania, and held coaching consultancy roles with South Africa’s KZN Inland ​and Eastern ​Province.