Lalchand Rajput says Afghanistan will be ready for Test cricket in 2-3 years

Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput seemed delighted with the fact that two players from the national team has bagged IPL contracts and expects his to be ready for test cricket in another 2-3 years.

Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi were grabbed by last year’s winners Sunrisers Hyderabad in the auction which took place in the month of February. This, Lalchand Rajput believes is a huge achievement for Afghan cricket and would motivate the other players in the squad to perform well.

According to the coach, the Indian Premier League will be a great learning curve for the two players Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi as they will get to share the dressing room with experienced players from other countries.

Rajput quoted “They both are world-class players who will learn a lot by sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in world cricket. Going forward, I think the number will only grow (Afghans in IPL).”

“Playing Test cricket has to be the goal. I feel there is still another two or three years before the team is fully ready for the five-day format. A lot depends on the ICC as well.”

The Afghanistan team had made their T20 debut in 2010 and has improved their cricket a lot ever since. They had successfully qualified for the 50 over format in the last World Cup in Australia.

The team emerged victorious in the series against Ireland recently defeating them in all three formats (T20, One Day International, First Class) which were played at their adopted home ground in Greater Noida.

Rajput coached the Indian national team when they won the first ever T20 World Cup in 2007 but admits that his current job is the toughest challenge he has ever faced.

“…and that is exactly the reason why I took it up. It is a life-changing experience for me as well, to work with guys who have risen after a lot of struggle and are committed to improve with every game.”