Lalchand Rajput calls for Afghanistan to play Test cricket

Afghanistan’s newly appointed coach Lalchand Rajput has stated that he would like to see the Afghan team take an active part in Test matches in the future. Rajput, who was appointed as the coach of the Afghan side after narrowly missing out on the India coaching role also went on to underline the credentials as well as the talent of the current crop of players and added that they needed the exposure to play Test cricket as well.

Lalchand Rajput has hit the ground running as far as the coaching role for the side is concerned. Afghanistan was victorious in their recently-concluded tour of Scotland and secured a subsequent draw against Ireland in the ODI series.

“These boys have talent, but they need exposure to be ready for Test cricket,” Rajput, under whom India clinched their maiden World T20 title in 2007.

“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,” he explained.

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The coach has been left impressed with the attitude of his team. “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-torn) background,” Rajput complimented. “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,” he added.

“I want a month-long camp in Noida, and I’m also planning to organise a few games for them in Mumbai. We’re confident about beating Ireland.

“Since we’re playing at home, we can make a turning track which suits our strength. In Rashid Khan (leg-spinner), Zahir Khan (chinaman bowler), and Mohammad Nabi, we have a good spin attack,” Rajput pointed out.

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