Lalchand Rajput named Zimbabwe's interim head coach

Former Team India manager Lalchand Rajput has been named interim head coach of the Zimbabwe Cricket Team. He is expected to join the team ahead of the tri-series between Australia, Pakistan and Zimbabwe in July.

After having coached the Indian team to the title in the inaugural World T20 in 2007, Rajput served as the head coach of the Afghanistan national side from 2016 to 2017. Under his guidance, the team was handed Test status and will play their inaugural game against India next month.

After successfully managing the Indian team to the World T20 title, Rajput was named the coach of the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.

The news was confirmed in a tweet by Zimbabwe Cricket, who described the 56-year-old as "a highly qualified, vastly experienced and well-respected coach".

ZC has named Lalchand Rajput as Zimbabwe's interim head coach. The 56-year-old former India cricketer is a highly qualified, vastly experienced and well-respected coach who was in charge when India won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007. We wish you all the best! #Welcome pic.twitter.com/aokEOLqRGS

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) May 17, 2018

The former Indian Team batsman, who played two Tests and four ODIs for the national side, will replace former Zimbabwe all-rounder Heath Streak, who is currently in India as the bowling coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Under Streak, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the World Cup, scheduled to be held next year.

Under Rajput, Afghanistan were promoted to being Full Members of the ICC, and received Test status last year. He had replaced former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as the head coach in 2016, and after his contract expired, was replaced by West Indies' Phil Simmons.

More to follow...