Lalchand Rajput eyes UAE’s Test dream, inspired by Afghanistan and Ireland’s rise
Lalchand Rajput (Source: Mr Cricket UAE)
Published - 08 Oct 2026, 05:04 PM• Read time - 2 mins
United Arab Emirates (UAE) head coach Lalchand Rajput has backed his team to become a Test-playing nation soon. Having made their debut in international cricket in 1994, UAE have played 154 ODIs and 152 T20Is so far but are yet to have a taste of red-ball cricket at the highest level.
Rajput, who’s enjoyed a good run as coach with the team, helping them qualify for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, feels the seeds for a strong cricketing nation are sown through red-ball cricket.
Recently, in an exclusive conversation with Mr Cricket UAE, Rajput reflected on the changes he made in UAE’s cricket structure and the importance of red-ball cricket to create good bench strength.
“To reach high level in international cricket, you have to go backwards. You have to prepare good bench strength. There are two tournaments of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB): D50 and D20. They have now started D10 as well. I felt like we have to bring a change in the structure. So I first introduced red ball cricket then we organized two-day matches in Sharjah. Red ball cricket helps you to learn how to play against swing and since it’s a two-day game, you have to bat for long,” Rajput told Mr Cricket UAE.
The UAE head coach also commented on the possibility of the team attaining Test status soon, drawing inspiration from Afghanistan and Ireland.
“You need to have two-day and three-day matches. Every Test-playing nation has great structure, like two-day, three day, like they have the Ranji Trophy in India, so first-class cricket is really important. I think if you have this three-day format or even a longer version. Definitely, why not? If Afghanistan can get it, Ireland can get it, then why not UAE,” he added.
UAE are currently playing in an ODI tri-series against Namibia and the USA, part of the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2. However, they haven’t got off to a good start to the series, losing their second fixture against the USA after the first match against Namibia was washed out.