# Ahmed Raza Appointed as UAE Men's National Cricket Team Head Coach Former captain takes charge of struggling squad ahead of critical World Cup qualifiers. - **Source:** [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ec6a4d75-4230-45ba-bc96-b46ad819c29b ## Leadership Change Amid Crisis The UAE national cricket team has appointed Ahmed Raza as head coach following the departure of Lalchand Rajput. This transition occurs immediately after the team finished last in the Cricket World Cup League Two standings. The squad now faces an urgent need to secure their one-day international status during upcoming qualifiers. ## High Stakes in Kathmandu The team faces a critical eight-team tournament in Kathmandu starting December 4. This competition is vital for maintaining their international status and associated ICC funding. The timing is particularly challenging as it overlaps with the ILT20 season, forcing players to choose between national duty and significant personal financial gain. ## Financial Conflict for Players Selected players face a difficult dilemma due to the scheduling conflict with the ILT20. For instance, Muhammad Waseem stands to earn $210,000 if he participates in the full league season. Balancing these substantial financial incentives against the necessity of national team performance represents a major hurdle for the new head coach. ## Historical Coaching Context Historically, the UAE coaching role was often filled by recruits from Test-playing nations who viewed the position as a temporary stepping stone. Past coaches like Chandika Hathurusinghe and Aaqib Javed used the role to advance their careers. While they achieved success, recent appointments like Robin Singh and Lalchand Rajput proved less effective. ## Shift in Recruitment Strategy Unlike his predecessors who were recruited from established cricketing nations, Ahmed Raza is a product of the local system. Born in Sharjah, he debuted for the national team at age 17 and later served as captain. His appointment marks a departure from the trend of hiring seasoned veterans from India or Pakistan. ## Raza's Proven Track Record Raza transitioned into coaching after his playing career, notably leading the UAE women's team to international recognition. His work with the women's side earned global headlines, demonstrating his capability to manage unique pressures. Having spent 21 years within the organization, he possesses an intimate understanding of the local cricket landscape. ## The Challenge of Associate Cricket Managing Associate cricket requires a different approach than coaching in Test-playing nations. Previous incumbents often struggled to adapt to the specific environment of the UAE. Raza’s deep roots in the local system suggest he may be better equipped to handle the specific cultural and structural challenges inherent to this role. ## Future Outlook and Expectations Raza faces a baptism by fire as he attempts to stabilize the men's team during a period of turmoil. His success will depend on his ability to align player interests with national goals. If he navigates this period successfully, he could become a transformative figure for the future of UAE cricket. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/2026/11/07/uae-job-has-been-either-a-stepping-stone-or-a-pension-fund-in-the-past-but-now-ahmed-raza-is-the-perfect-fit/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._