We want to make new history
Bangladesh made history in the last Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. For the first time, they whitewashed Pakistan in a two-Test series. The Tigers had no wins in the previous 13 Tests against them. Before the Test against Pakistan starts tomorrow at home, the Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons is focusing on the present, leaving aside past successes.
Bangladesh Head Coach Phil Simmons was bullish about his side’s preparation and mindset ahead of the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, stressing the importance of consistency, adaptability and mental strength.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the coach said the transition into the series would be more mental than technical, particularly for players who have been involved in red-ball cricket in recent months.
‘We want to create new history now. Our focus is now on Friday’s match. What happens there is important. What happened before is irrelevant.’
Although Bangladesh’s series win against Pakistan in 2024 is in the pipeline, Simmons has indicated that it has no impact in the dressing room. ‘Yes, it gives confidence to have it in mind that we won the last match. But this is a new match, a new venue. We are playing in Bangladesh now, not in Pakistan. So we have to put that behind us and focus on Friday’s match.’
The spotlight will also be on veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who is set to play his first Test after reaching the milestone of 100 Test matches as first Bangladeshi batter. Simmons praised his consistency and approach to the game.
“Knowing Mushi for the short time I’ve known him, it’s going to be like Test one, like Test 50, like Test 100. He’s going to continue doing his preparation the way he believes in Test matches and look at 101 just as he looked at everything else,” he remarked.
Against a strong Pakistani pace attack, Simmons, a former West Indies great emphasized the need for discipline with the bat rather than relying on home conditions.
“I don’t know what you mean by home conditions. It’s going to be a good cricket pitch and we’ve got to put in place how we bat against them. If you want to be higher in the rankings, you have to play against top-class bowlers,” he added.
“We know as a unit that we have to bat and bat long against them and try and get big scores. Everybody’s in that frame of mind that they want to get big scores now, which is a good thing,” he said.
The squad includes new additions such as Tanzid Hasan Tamim and Amite Hasan, with the coach confirming that the final XI is yet to be decided.
