Head coach Phil Simmons at practice  session. -File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2025 (BSS)- Head coach Phil Simmons believes the Bangladesh 
cricketers have the skill to switch to ODI mode despite going into the 
Champions Trophy on the back of playing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), the 
country's lone franchise-based T20 tournament.

He said it's all about the mentality that could help them switch into the 50-
over format of cricket.
 
"I agree that it (BPL T20) is not the best preparation (for Champions 
Trophy). But they were playing white-ball cricket, which means that they are 
sharp skills-wise," Simmons told here today before Bangladesh's practice 
session.

"We have to get their minds up to 50-over cricket in the next six or seven 
days. They have the skills. They are performing. It is about getting to that 
50-over mentality now."

Apart from Bangladesh, other teams have played ODI cricket to prepare for the 
Champions Trophy, an ICC tournament which will be held in the United Arab 
Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan later this month. 

"We will have double practice sessions in the next couple of days. We bat and 
bowl in the morning and then do the same under the lights. We are getting 
ourselves prepared to bat for 50 overs," Simmons argued.
 
The first part of the preparation is about Dubai. Once we can get ourselves 
in the right frame of mind, and work on the right things for Dubai, I think 
we can start the competition well, he said.

Simmons insisted that playing BPL, a T20 tournament won't affect Bangladesh 
in the Champions Trophy.

Bangladesh players knack to get into right frame of mind for ODI cricket as 
quicker as possible gave Simmons the confidence.

"We have not seen any residue from the BPL in the days of training camp so 
far," he said.
 
"Players are looking to get time in the middle, to get into the frame of mind 
of batting long and bowling in the right areas in 50-over cricket. I don't 
think it is going to affect them in any way," he added.

While most of the players of the Champions Trophy-bound squad, were in good 
touch in BPL, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto failed to find a place regularly 
in the playing XI of champions Fortune Barishal.

Barishal Captain Tamim Iqbal said Shanto was not in the playing XI due to 
combination, not for his performance. But Shanto scored just 56 runs in five 
matches he played for Barishal. 

Simmons said Shanto possesses a strong mentality, which would help him to get 
into groove when the tournament starts.

"He (Shanto) was working very hard when he wasn't playing. We are going to 
need a strong mental attitude from everyone in the team," he said.
 
"I think (Shanto) possesses that, so I look forward to continue to his work."

Simmons also talked about young pacer Nahid Rana, saying that some rest 
following the BPL would help him to get his genuine pace, which was lost to 
some extent after playing matches consistently.

"He( Nahid Rana) has looked slower than normal in the last couple of games. 
The run-up was less than normal approaching the wicket, Simmons said.

"They (Rana's team Rangpur) got knocked out early so he had a bit of rest. He 
looked sharp in training yesterday. The pace was coming back. The run-up was 
as quick as it was in the Caribbean."

When the Champions Trophy was held last time in England in 2017, Bangladesh 
moved to the semifinal, so far their best result in the ICC tournament.
 
Simmons believes Bangladesh have the ability to do well in Champions Trophy 
this time also if they can put their best effort.

 "I won't be here if I didn't believe (that we can go all the way). I think 
you prepare as best as you could when you go into a tournament," the former 
Caribbean batter said.

"On that day, you play your best games. That's why I look to do, on every 
occasion. I think we have made a lot of strides in the Caribbean (during West 
Indies tour in December). I think we have a good chance once we play to the 
best of our ability."

Bangladesh which are drawn in Group A along with India, Pakistan and New 
Zealand may leave the country on February 14.

They will begin the tournament by taking on India in Dubai on February 20. 
Thereafter the Tigers will face off New Zealand and hosts Pakistan on 
February 24 and 27 respectively in Rawalpindi.