Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim has endorsed Phil Simmons to continue as the head coach of the Bangladesh national team. This endorsement comes after discussions during a recent board meeting in Dhaka, where Simmons’ contract extension was a key topic.
Fahim indicated that the BCB is satisfied with Simmons’ performance and is looking to engage in formal talks soon to secure his services on a long-term basis. Simmons was initially appointed in October last year on an interim basis.
During his four-month tenure, Bangladesh secured a 3-0 T20I series victory against West Indies. However, the team faced an early exit from the Champions Trophy after defeats to India and New Zealand.
Despite the Champions Trophy performance, Simmons has garnered the support of BCB president Faruque Ahmed and director Fahim, both influential figures within the board.
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Fahim stated that the contracts of the head coach and senior assistant coach were until mid-March. He expressed satisfaction with their work and the board’s intention to renegotiate and potentially extend their contracts until the 2027 World Cup.
Fahim highlighted his personal observations of Simmons, expressing confidence in his ability to contribute positively to the Bangladesh team. He also noted the good working relationship between Simmons, local coaches, and players.
In addition to Simmons, the BCB is also expected to renew the contract of senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin, who was also appointed on a short-term contract last November. A key factor in considering both Simmons and Salahuddin for contract renewals is their demonstrated ability to work collaboratively.
Furthermore, the BCB has decided to extend the contract of spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed. Hannan Sarkar’s resignation as selector has been accepted by the board.
Fahim also mentioned the BCB’s focus on improving fielding standards within the senior team and the high-performance unit. To achieve this, the board is in discussions with several fielding coaches to potentially join the BCB coaching staff.
