Sports Reporter :
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusingha on Tuesday last. The BCB also acknowledged that Phil Simmons will act as interim head coach of Bangladesh Cricket team.
The West Indies became the champions in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016 under supervision of head coach Phil Simmons. After the announcement of the BCB, Phil Simmons arrived in the city on Wednesday.
President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board Faruque Ahmed said, ” Phil Simmons will act as interim coach of Bangladesh Cricket team for upcoming South Africa series, Afghanistan series and ICC Champions Trophy.”
South Africa Cricket team will arrive in the city to play two-Test match series against Bangladesh Cricket team.
The first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and South Africa will be held from October 21 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the city’s Mirpur. Phil Simmons first assignment will start from the first Test match between the Tigers and the Proteas.
Faruque said, ” Phil Simmons acted as a head coach of different countries. He was the head coach of West Indies for two terms. He worked for Pakistan Cricket team. He also acted as the head coach of the United States of America recently. He have an up to the mark career.
We have not yet contracted with Phil Simmons for a long time. He has been appointed as the interim head coach until Champions Trophy, which will be held next year.”
Ahmed said, ” He is a hard worker. I have watched his style of coaching. When Zimbabwe arrived in the city, he was the head coach of Zimbabwe at that time. I observed how he thought and how he inspired his players of the team. I think he is now the best option.”
Phil Simmons started his coaching career as a head coach of Zimbabwe from 2004. He worked with Ireland and Afghanistan as head coach.
Phil Simmons also acted as coach of franchise-based cricket competitions. Simmons acted as a coach of Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League in 2023.
He last acted as a head coach of Papua New Guinea before he joined Bangladesh Cricket team as a head coach.