Overview
- The Emirates Cricket Board announced on Friday that Lalchand Rajput has stepped down and former captain Ahmed Raza will replace him as head coach of the UAE men’s team.
- Raza is a long-time UAE player and coach who led the women’s national side and has franchise experience with Dubai Capitals and Southern Brave.
- Rajput leaves after a near-three-year spell that produced Asia Cup and T20 World Cup qualification and a series win over Bangladesh but ended with the UAE finishing last in Cricket World Cup League Two.
- Raza’s first assignment is the eight-team World Cup Qualifier play-off in Kathmandu next month where the UAE’s ODI status and World Cup pathway are at stake.
- Selection and morale are under pressure because the ILT20 runs at the same time, forcing some players to choose between national duty and lucrative franchise contracts.