Ahmed Raza has ended a 21-year involvement with UAE cricket after resigning as coach of the women’s national team.
The former spin bowler was first selected for the men’s national team while a 16-year-old schoolboy.
The Sharjah-born bowler later captained the UAE, and was part of the squad who played at T20 World Cups in Bangladesh and Australia.
He retired from playing in March 2023 after being offered a place in the coaching set-up of the Emirates Cricket Board.
He subsequently became the head coach of the women’s side, most recently overseeing qualification for the 2026 Asia Cup via a tournament in Malaysia earlier this month.
“The Emirates Cricket Board congratulates Ahmed on his stellar work and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours,” the ECB wrote in announcing Raza’s departure.
During his time at the helm, the women’s game in the UAE has developed markedly. Most significantly, the national team earned one-day international status last year.
In their first series, they drew with Zimbabwe. In the format that Raza most favoured in his own playing days, he said that series was the highlight of his time with the women’s team.