'Afghanistan ready for Test status'

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 the next couple of years if given an opportunity at the highest level.

"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 (International Cricket Council) 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 two to three 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.

"That is exactly the reason why I took it up. It is a life-changing experience for me as well, to work with guys who have risen after a lot of struggle and are committed to improve with every game."

The 55-year-old former Mumbai batsman, who had replaced Pakistan great Inzamam-ul Haq as Afghanistan's coach,feels the journey has been satisfying so far but there is a lot more to achieve in the years to come.