DHAKA, Oct 19, 2024 (BSS)—Bangladesh’s newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons laid emphasis on keeping the players away from the outside noise, which hit the cricket hard following Shakib Al Hasan issue. 

Shakib was initially included in the first Test squad against South Africa for his Test swansong but later made him unavailable due to security issue as protest continued against him due to his link with the Awami League government, which was ousted following a mass uprising, led by students.

Hasan Murad replaced Shakib, a former lawmaker of the ousted Awami League government, but the issue seemed to have distracted the cricketers ahead of the crucial Test series, which is part of ICC World Test Championship.

“That’s the big part of our job over the next few days, to make sure that the focus is on cricket, and not outside of cricket,” Simmons said.
 
“We can control how we prepare for Monday (when the first Test will start), that’s how we are trying to get the team to focus,” he said.

But Simmons was happy to see the players working hard despite the noise around.
“My philosophy is to work hard in your preparation and results will come in the match. What I have seen in the last couple of days, these guys work really hard on their game, skills and fitness. I am pretty happy over the last couple of days,” he remarked. 

Simmons said he is ready to take the challenge despite knowing that a Bangladesh head coach will be under scanner always.

“All international coaching jobs are hot seats. Bangladesh is different. Pakistan is different. For me, it is a case of getting the players to play and enjoy everything and win matches. The seat is not hot. The last two days have been really good,” he said.

“The goal is about preparing properly and trying to win games. That’s how I work. It is about the first Test match, which starts on Monday,” he added.