Former UAE captain Ahmed Raza has been appointed head coach of the UAE men's cricket team, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on 6 November 2026. He steps into the role following the departure of Lalchand Rajput, who resigned after nearly three years in charge of the side.

Raza's Credentials and Coaching Background

Raza brings both playing pedigree and coaching experience to the job. During his playing career, he captained the UAE in 29 of his 53 ODIs and in 27 of his 55 T20Is. On the coaching front, he previously managed the UAE women's team for three years and has worked with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 and with Southern Brave in The Hundred. Most recently, he served as head coach of Dubai Capitals at the Global Super League in Guyana in 2025.

'I am honoured to have been chosen for this exciting role and look forward to beginning my new innings. I want to thank the ECB for granting me this opportunity. As a former national captain, I fully understand what it means to represent the UAE at the highest level,' Raza said in a statement.

He added that his aim would be to 'solidify some of the good work done in recent years and build further from there,' noting that the current squad blends 'highly skilled and experienced players' with 'exciting youngsters.'

First Test: World Cup Qualifier Play-off in Kathmandu

Raza's immediate challenge will be the eight-team World Cup Qualifier Play-off in Kathmandu next month, where the UAE's ODI status is at stake. The tournament runs concurrently with the ILT20, meaning several squad members may have to forego lucrative franchise contracts to represent the national side — a tension that will test both squad depth and player commitment.

Rajput's Record and Exit

Under Rajput, the UAE finished at the foot of the Cricket World Cup League Two table, though they closed the campaign on a positive note with three consecutive wins. The tenure also delivered notable highs: qualification for the Men's T20 World Cup in India, a berth in the Asia Cup held on home soil, and a bilateral T20I series victory over Bangladesh.

'My stint as UAE Men's Head Coach was very rewarding and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the team,' Rajput said. 'I am proud that we achieved some important milestones, including qualifying for the Asia Cup, the ICC T20 World Cup and securing a series win against Bangladesh.'

ECB's Backing for the New Appointment

ECB member Zayed Abbas paid tribute to the outgoing coach while expressing confidence in Raza's ability to push the programme forward. 'The Emirates Cricket Board thanks Lalchand Rajput for his commitment, dedication and hard work with the UAE Men's National Team,' Abbas said. 'Ahmed Raza has already proven his worth as a capable head coach and under him the UAE Women made rapid progress. We are confident that he will be able to make a big impact and take the men's team forward.'

The appointment signals a shift toward homegrown leadership within UAE cricket, and all eyes will be on how quickly Raza can mould the squad ahead of a high-stakes qualifier tournament that will define the country's cricket calendar for years to come.