The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has appointed former captain Ahmed Raza as head coach of the UAE men's team after Lalchand Rajput stepped down. The ECB confirmed the change in a press release on Friday, November 6. Raza brings 108 international appearances and several years of coaching experience.
Rajput's Tenure: Key Milestones
Lalchand Rajput's departure closes a notable chapter for UAE cricket. During his tenure, the team qualified for the Asia Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup. It also secured a series win against Bangladesh.
These outcomes show measurable progress in qualification and competitive results against a Full Member nation. The table below summarises the milestones the ECB highlighted.
| Milestone | Competition or Opponent | Outcome |
|---|
| Qualification | Asia Cup | Qualified |
| Qualification | ICC T20 World Cup | Qualified |
| Bilateral series | Bangladesh | Series win |
Rajput's Farewell Statement
Rajput described his stint as very rewarding and thanked the ECB, management, players and support staff for their trust and cooperation. He said he would always cherish the relationships and memories built during the journey.
Ahmed Raza: Playing Record in Numbers
Raza, now 38, represented the UAE in 53 ODIs and 55 T20Is. That is 108 international appearances across the two white-ball formats.
He also led the side regularly, captaining in 29 ODIs and 27 T20Is. That means he was in charge for roughly 55% of his ODI appearances and 49% of his T20I appearances.
| Format | Matches Played | Matches as Captain | Captaincy Share |
|---|
| ODI | 53 | 29 | 54.7% |
| T20I | 55 | 27 | 49.1% |
| Total | 108 | 56 | 51.9% |
What the Leadership Split Indicates
Across both formats, Raza captained in just under 52% of his international matches. This suggests sustained leadership responsibility rather than a short stint in the role. It is a relevant background for a coach who will manage players he once led.
Coaching Experience Beyond the UAE Men's Team
After retiring, Raza built his coaching record in a short period. His roles span franchise leagues and national-team duties.
| Role | Team or Competition |
|---|
| Coach | Dubai Capitals (DP World International League T20) |
| Coach | Southern Brave (The Hundred) |
| Coach, about three years | UAE Women's National Cricket Team |
| Head coach, 2025 season | Dubai Capitals (Global Super League) |
Exposure to Multiple Formats
His résumé covers T20 leagues, a 100-ball competition and national-team coaching. That breadth gives him experience across different match formats and player pools. The women's team role also gives him familiarity with the ECB's national-team structure.
Raza's Stated Aims for the Role
Raza said he was honoured by the appointment and thanked the ECB for the opportunity. He noted that, as a former national captain, he understands what it means to represent the UAE at the highest level.
He described the current squad as a mix of highly skilled, experienced players and exciting youngsters. His stated aim is to solidify the good work of recent years and build further from there.
Continuity Over Reset
The emphasis on continuity suggests the ECB is prioritising stability after a period that included two major tournament qualifications. The first results to watch will be the team's performance in upcoming bilateral and global fixtures. Win-loss records, batting averages and bowling economy rates under Raza will offer the clearest measures of progress against Rajput's tenure.
Summary of the Transition
The change replaces a coach credited with Asia Cup and T20 World Cup qualifications with a former captain who has 108 international caps. Raza's coaching background across franchise and national women's cricket adds a different profile to the role. Future results will determine how the transition compares with the milestones recorded under Rajput.