"In New Delhi, on February 17, UAE head coach Lalchand Rajput has called on the cricketing world to pay attention to the performance of associate nations in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, insisting that they have earned the right to be taken seriously on the global stage.
The UAE team will be returning home after playing their Group D match against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. However, they will be encouraged by the fact that they defeated Canada, while also putting up a strong batting performance against New Zealand and challenging Afghanistan.
"I don't think it's surprising to see the performance of associate teams, as we compete against each other, and all the teams are strong. This is a great opportunity for associate nations to showcase their talent, and I believe they have done so. If you look at cricket globally, I think smaller teams are emerging, and this is a positive development," said Rajput during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Other teams have also had notable performances – Nepal gave England a tough fight, and the Netherlands came close to defeating Pakistan. The USA also put pressure on both India and Pakistan, while Scotland also challenged West Indies and England. Italy, who won their first T20 World Cup match against Nepal, also put up a strong performance against England.
Amidst all this, Canada, Namibia, and Oman also had their moments of success, but have yet to achieve a win. "I think associate countries have shown their potential and deserve to be taken seriously. This tournament has seen some close matches, and I hope that the next matches will be even more competitive," added Rajput.
The former India opener, who was the manager of the 2007 Men's T20 World Cup winning team, argued that no training session can replicate the pressure of a live game, particularly when a team finds itself in a difficult situation or chasing a target in the final overs.
"Yes, associate countries should play more matches. Only through matches can they experience these situations. No matter how much net practice they do, how can they handle tight situations like being 80-5 or winning a match when they need 30 runs in the last two overs? You won't learn that until you play on the field."
"Therefore, the more matches you play against good teams, and the more challenging situations you face, the more confident you will become. You might win only one out of five games, but this will help you develop the skills and mental strength to perform well in similar situations," Rajput added.
Rajput further elaborated that associate nations should also focus on qualifying for major tournaments like the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup. The UAE team is currently at the bottom of the eight-team World Cricket League 2 points table, which is led by the USA.
"The schedule doesn't allow for more games, but associate nations also compete against each other. This is driven by TV rights, media, and sponsorship, as everyone wants to compete against the top 10 teams. So, they also have a schedule. One aspect where they can't play more games is due to funding constraints."
"Therefore, I think this World Cup will definitely show that associate nations are capable, and they will receive more funding and play more matches. We need to play more games to qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup. We have 16 more matches to play for qualification. These matches are called World Cup League 2 qualifiers, and the results from these matches will determine our qualification," Rajput explained.
Rajput also highlighted the importance of matches and the ongoing efforts by the ICC to promote cricket globally.
"The T20 format is particularly well-suited for associate nations due to their lack of deep domestic infrastructure compared to Test-playing nations. The shorter format allows them to compete effectively against teams with more resources.
"Furthermore, the UAE has introduced red-ball cricket to its domestic competition, allowing players to develop their skills in a longer format. This is particularly beneficial for the 50-over format, where players need to bat for extended periods."
Rajput also praised the ILT20, a T20 league based in the UAE, for its role in developing talent for the national team. He highlighted the success of players like Waseem, Alishan, and Haider Ali, who have played in the ILT20 and have gone on to represent the UAE.
"The ILT20 provides these players with valuable experience against top-quality opposition. They get to play against better batters and bowlers, which helps them improve their skills and confidence. The facilities in the ILT20 are also excellent, providing players with the best possible training and playing conditions."
Rajput concluded by saying, "I am confident that these players will continue to perform well, and that the UAE will achieve success in the 2027 ODI World Cup. The tournament will also provide a platform for these players to showcase their talent to the world."
