Rajput’s clear roadmap for Afghanistan cricket

Three years later, the International Cricket Council (ICC) granted an associate nation membership, the second -tier behind Test playing nations to it. And in a historic announcement last week, Afghanistan was given a full membership in ICC (along with Ireland), making it one among the elite group of 12 countries permitted to play the longest form of the game. 

As the nation celebrated its elevation, Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput knows that it is only a first step in what would be a longterm goal. 

“It is undoubtedly a great achievement for Afghanistan cricket. Every country would like to be one among the Test playing nations. My boys have been working hard for the last couple of years. And this is a reward which they have got after a lot of hard work,” Rajput told DTNext. 

“We started beating test sides, we beat Zimbabwe, we beat Ireland. It’s huge for the sport in Afghanistan. They are a passionate and a meticulous bunch of cricketers,” he added. Rajput has a clear roadmap for his team’s journey in Test cricket. 

“The boys are used to the slam-bang version of white ball cricket and the transition to the red cherry would take some time. Test cricket is an epitome of temperament, patience and it brings out the best of mental toughness. 

I must instil the habit of making the boys play longer and patient innings, develop them into a unit brimming with confidence and I feel if the team can adapt to Test cricket, we can adapt to any situation in any format of the game easily,” Rajput explained. 

Talking about the attributes of his team, the former India international said, “They never shy away from hard work. It is only fitting that this quality has come to the limelight. The players will take very little time to adapt but I am sure they will get into the groove quickly and come out with flying colours.” 

The Afghanistan team has made Greater Noida their home and Rajput has made sure that there is no dearth of match practice as they play regularly against private club and lower division teams.