Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons (Image: IANS)

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons (Image: IANS)

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has sought to keep the focus firmly on the field amid questions over the team’s preparations following the removal of batting coach Mohammad Ashraful , insisting that the squad remains united and determined to make the most of its World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. The team currently sits fourth in the table, making the home series an important opportunity to collect valuable points in the race for a place in the final. The decision came after a mixed run of results in the UAE, where Bangladesh drew a one-off Test against Afghanistan before losing both their matches in the ODI tri-series involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Simmons also highlighted the significance of the WTC campaign, pointing to the opportunity Bangladesh have to compete for a place in the championship final. Simmons defended the players, arguing that they had followed the intended strategy and that the pitch had become more favourable for batting than the team had anticipated on the final day. The coach also pointed to missed opportunities in the field, including a missed run-out chance and dropped catches, which he felt had cost Bangladesh the opportunity to secure victory.

Bangladesh’s drawn Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi earlier this month attracted criticism, with questions raised over the batting approach and whether the team had done enough to force a result. With a two-Test series against West Indies beginning in Mirpur on Wednesday, Bangladesh will be keen to put a turbulent period behind them and strengthen their position in the WTC standings. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Saturday that Ashraful had been reassigned from his role as batting coach, with Mohammad Salahuddin taking over on an interim basis.