Lalchand Rajput confident of helping Afghanistan reach Test status

Head coach Lalchand Rajput has expressed his desire to help propel Afghanistan towards Test status. Recently succeeding Inzamam ul Haq at the helm, the former Indian batsman however admitted that there was plenty of work left to be done in order to achieve the dream.

In a freewheeling chat with Times of India, the 54-year old believed that their inherent ability to fight till the very end would augur well for the Afghans and hoped to equip them with proper training.

Rajput affirmed, “These boys have talent, but they need exposure to be ready for Test cricket. I asked the players, 'Do you want to keep playing the associates or do you want to play teams of a higher level?' They all said they wanted to play the top sides.”

“I told them that nothing will come easy to them and they've to be prepared to work hard, especially on their fitness and fielding. I've made it mandatory that every player must take at least 50 catches in the nets.”

Under his tutelage, India won the 2007 World T20 in South Africa and subsequently went on to clinch a Tri series on Australian soil. With Afghanistan defeating the eventual winners West Indies in the 2016 World T20, expectations of progressing to the top level have risen.

Rajput noted, “The players are respectful to the coach, keen to learn and desperate to do well. They believe in fighting till the last ball which can perhaps be attributed to their tough (war-ravaged) background. I've tried to infuse self-belief in them by telling them that if you can beat the Twenty20 world champ, you can beat anyone.”

Due to the prevailing security situation, Afghanistan have adopted Greater Noida as their ‘home’ venue and they will take on Ireland here for the final of the ICC Intercontinental Cup against Ireland in March 2017.

With the winner of the contest getting the opportunity to play the then 10th ranked Test country (at present Zimbabwe) during the ICC Test Challenge in 2018. If the Intercontinental Cup champion emerges victorious, they will become the 11th Test nation until the next edition in 2022.