Published: Jun 25, 2016, 06:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 26, 2016, 11:25 AM (IST)
Former Indian batsman Lalchand Rajput has been roped in as the new head coach for the Afghanistan team by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). He would suceed former Pakistan great Inzamam-ul-Haq, who resigned from the post in April 2016, while he would begin his proceedings with the tour of Scotland, followed by Ireland and the Netherlands in July and August. Rajput was given the nod ahead of former Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf, along with former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs and also former West Indies fast bowler Corey Collymore, said Shaiqullah Stanikzai, ACB chief executive. IND coach recruitment: Kumble, Amre, Rajput deliver presentations
Although Rajput’s name was recommended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the other three contenders had applied for the post through their agents. Rajput has had previous coaching experience, as he was manager of the Indian side that won the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007 at South Africa, and was also the joint honourary secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), reports espncricinfo.com.
Rajput is nown to be willing to sign a two-year contract with the ACB, but the final call would be taken following the conclusion of the European tour. Afghanistan are all set to play seven ODIs against Scotland and Ireland, while the match against Netherlands would be an ICC Intercontinental Cup tie. Reports also said that the ACB was in seriosu talks with former Sri Lankan fast-bowler Chaminda Vass. However, the talks did not go well.
Rajput has played two Tests and four ODIs for India, while he has played a total of 110 matches and has scored about 7988 runs in first-class cricket. Earlier, he was also the coach of the Mumbai team in the Ranji Trophy and also managed Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians (MI). He also was a successful coach for India Under-19 and A teams.
