Afghans ready for Test status, says Lalchand Rajput

Afghanistan chief coach Lalchand Rajput on Tuesday said the country's fast-improving cricket team is ready for Test status and will become a top-six side in another 2-3 years' time.

"...Afghanistan is ready for Test cricket and our performances have shown it as we are winning consistently after I have taken over as head coach. We are waiting for the ICC meeting which will be held in April," Rajput said

"We are all hopeful that Afghanistan get the Test status as we are ready for it. Afghanistan will become a force in Test cricket in the years to come. The way they are progressing, I believe they will come in the top-six in 2-3 years' time," he added.

Afghanistan have come a long way since making their World T20 debut in 2010, having qualified for the last 50-over World Cup in Australia.

They recently hammered Ireland across the three formats (ODIs, T20 Internationals, First-Class) in a series played at their adopted home ground in Greater Noida.

Rajput, who was manager of the Indian team when it won the inaugural World T20 in 2007, has been Afghanistan's head coach since June last year and considers the job his toughest challenge yet.