Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has left the team’s camp in the middle of the ODI series against Sri Lanka for a short trip to London. He will be away for two days due to a personal medical appointment. The Bangladesh team management confirmed that Simmons will rejoin the squad on July 7.
Team manager Nafees Iqbal said Simmons had scheduled this check-up earlier in the year but had to miss it because of his coaching duties during the Champions Trophy. Since the appointment could not be rescheduled, he informed the board before the tour and planned his travel accordingly.
"Phil Simmons is going to tour for two days for personal reasons. He had a doctor's appointment in February but he missed that due to Champions Trophy. Now the appointment with the physicians cannot be changed. He tried to change it (appointment) but somehow he could not do that. Before the start of the tour, he spoke with the board in this regard (meeting the physicians) and planned accordingly. He is leaving today and will return on 7 July,” Nafees said as quoted by Cricbuzz.
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Phil Simmons Travels to London for Medical Appointment, Set to Return on July 7
Simmons’ departure comes at a time when Bangladesh’s form has been under the spotlight. Questions have been raised about their performance.
On their all-format tour of Sri Lanka, the side drew the first Test but then lost the following match as the hosts won the series 1-0.
The Mehidy Hasan Miraz-led team also lost the opening ODI of the three-match series. Chasing 245 runs, Bangladesh were cruising and were at 100/1 at one stage.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, they lost their next seven wickets within five runs, recording the worst collapse in the men’s ODI history. Bangladesh ultimately got bundled at 167 and lost by 77 runs in Colombo.
The second ODI is scheduled on July 5 in Colombo for which Simmons will not be available. He will join the team on July 7 and resume the coaching duties ahead of the third ODI slated for July 8 in Pallekele.
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Taskin Ahmed Reflects on Shocking Collapse in 1st ODI
Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed admitted the loss was difficult to digest. Speaking after the match, he said the team did not expect such a dramatic collapse.
"Unfortunately, we had a great start, but after that… a tough loss for us. Seven wickets for five runs—it was unexpected. We tried, but it didn’t happen. It wasn’t a great feeling," Taskin said as quoted after the match.
"Premadasa is a bit tricky, but today, from that (Wanindu) Hasaranga over when (Najmul Hossain) Shanto got run out followed by (Tanzid Hasan) Tamim’s dismissal, we collapsed badly. Those two wickets in one over were the turning point. The way we started today, I was expecting we would win with 5-6 overs in hand, but unfortunately, that collapse was a big loss. It hurts because I am also a player. Bowling and batting combined, we are a team," he added.
