Reality check for new coach Rajput as UAE stumble at the start of World Cup qualifying

Judged by the tiny sample size of its first day, the new era for UAE cricket looks very much like the last one.

Dropped catches. Missed run out chances. An inability to make it past 200 runs.

If Lalchand Rajput needed an intensive guide as to exactly what needs to be done to improve the fortunes of the national team, he had it all on day one of his new job.

The former India Test batter’s first day at the office culminated in a three-wicket loss to Canada in the UAE’s opening game of the Cricket World Cup League 2 cycle.

It all felt very much like the end days of Robin Singh’s stint in charge a year ago, when the national team stumbled through the final throes of the 50-over competition.

At least the personnel had had a spring clean. Rajput was in the dugout for the first time. Tanish Suri, Rahul Chopra and Zuhaib Zubair were handed debuts. Alishan Sharafu and Sanchit Sharma were recalled after absences from the ODI side.

And yet the failings were the same. A number of batters made starts, but captain Muhammad Waseem’s 49 was the top score.

Aayan Khan and Zubair, the young spin twins from Sharjah who were in harness in an international match for the first time, made 38 and 31 respectively.

But the UAE’s total of 194 in 47.5 overs was going to require a strong fielding display if it was going to be defended. It got the opposite.

Despite some resistance from experienced campaigners Zahoor Khan and Junaid Siddique with the ball, Canada chased it with a little over two overs left, as Nicholas Kirton made 68 not out.

Still, Rajput pointed out this is just the beginning for his side.

“I think it would have been good to start on a winning note, but that is the way it goes,” Rajput said.

“We gave them a good fight, because if you