Lalchand Rajput takes helm as UAE men's cricket team head coach
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Former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput has been appointed as the head coach of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) men's cricket team, succeeding Pakistan's Mudassar Nazar.
The three-year appointment comes ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 tri-series, featuring Scotland and Canada, scheduled to be held in the UAE from February 28. The 62-year-old Rajput's tenure begins with the tri-series, followed by a three-match T20I series against Scotland at home next month.
Rajput's new role follows the UAE's absence from the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity, Rajput acknowledged the UAE's emergence as a strong Associate Member and highlighted the players' commendable performances in both ODIs and T20Is.
The former India coach, who played two Tests and four ODIs for India, conveyed his confidence in the UAE's talented squad. "The current batch is exceptionally talented, and I look forward to working with them and further harnessing their cricket skills," stated Rajput in a release by the Emirates Cricket Board. He expressed optimism about the team's potential for consistent performance and growth, aiming to elevate them to the next level.
Rajput brings a wealth of coaching experience to the UAE, having previously coached the Indian team during their victorious 2007 T20 World Cup campaign. His coaching stint with Afghanistan (2016-17) coincided with the country gaining Test status. Rajput's most recent coaching assignment was with Zimbabwe (2018-22), where he played a key role in the team's qualification for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, reaching the Super-12 stage.
