Rajput coached Afghanistan from 2016 to 2017.
| Photograph Credit score: VIVEK BENDRE
Afghanistan’s victory over England on Wednesday has given the facet an actual shot at qualifying for the knockout levels of the Champions Trophy. One one who isn’t shocked by the crew’s progress is its former coach, Lalchand Rajput. The ex-India cricketer, presently the UAE’s head coach, was happy together with his former crew’s progress.
“I not too long ago stated to somebody ‘don’t be shocked in the event that they make it to the semifinals.’ It’s heartening to see their efficiency. I’ve seen them go from nothing, and reaching this stage is one thing. Their cricket has grown nicely,” stated Rajput, who coached the facet from 2016 to 2017, throughout which period the outfit additionally acquired its Take a look at standing.
“Seeing the blokes like Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib, guys I’ve labored with, do nicely may be very good,” he stated.
Rajput defined that in his time, he began two and three-day matches between provincial groups in Afghanistan, which has helped the crew develop. “They began with 4 groups and now have six. Enjoying red-ball cricket, teaches the batters to play lengthy innings, which then helps with one-day cricket. Equally, the bowlers additionally be taught to bowl 15-20 overs and it turns into simpler to bowl 10 overs in a match,” stated the 63-year-old.
A win for Afghanistan in opposition to Australia will take the facet into the final 4 and it might face India right here within the first semifinal relying on each groups’ relative positions of their respective teams. If that occurs, it will be a particular second for Shahidi’s males to play in a rustic which was as soon as their ‘house’ venue.
Afghanistan used the enduring Sharjah Cricket Stadium as its house floor within the early days of worldwide cricket and not too long ago beat South Africa 2-1 in an ODI sequence final 12 months. Some former Afghan cricketers at the moment had daytime jobs within the Emirates whereas pursuing cricket.
Mazhar Khan, Normal Supervisor on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium added, “In 2010, Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, who constructed the stadium, introduced that Sharjah can be their house venue after they had been right here for the Intercontinental Cup. They’re passionate boys and love taking part in right here in Sharjah as a result of they have plenty of help from their followers on this a part of the world.”
“At the moment, I believe they’d some very quick bowlers, however had been a bit erratic within the early days. However as soon as Rashid Khan got here in, he made an enormous distinction alongside gamers like Mohammad Nabi,” stated Mazhar.
Printed – February 27, 2025 11:15 pm IST
