Simmons eyes winning start as birthday gift
Simmons took over as head coach of Bangladesh roughly three months ago and signed a new contract earlier this month. The Zimbabwe series marks his first assignment under the fresh agreement and a key opportunity to set the tone for his tenure.
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons is set to face his first major challenge in the role as the Tigers prepare to take on Zimbabwe in a two-match Test series, starting Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Just two days ahead of the opening Test, Simmons celebrated his 62nd birthday — a day he has often spent amidst cricket, either as a player or a coach. When asked at a press conference about birthday gifts, the former West Indies all-rounder responded with a smile, "I'm no longer at an age to be asking for birthday presents. If the players want to give me a gift, winning the first match will do. That would be enough for me."
Simmons took over as head coach of Bangladesh roughly three months ago and signed a new contract earlier this month. The Zimbabwe series marks his first assignment under the fresh agreement and a key opportunity to set the tone for his tenure.
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Although expectations are high for a series win on home soil, Simmons urged a step-by-step approach, avoiding any premature talk of a whitewash. "I don't know about that," he said. "I prefer taking things one step at a time. We'll play the first Test here in Sylhet. If we win that, then we'll think about the next match and discuss the series. But to win the first Test, we need to start by winning the first day. That's how I like to approach the game. I can't start thinking about Chattogram already — right now our focus is entirely on Sylhet."
The national team reassembled for red-ball cricket following a four-month break since their last Test series against the West Indies in December. Most players had been engaged in the Dhaka Premier League prior to joining the camp. Preparations began on 14 April in Sylhet.
Despite the short build-up, Simmons expressed satisfaction with the team's readiness. "Preparation has been very good. The facilities here feel like a dream — you can do everything you want. The hotel is nearby, and we've managed to do a lot of work in this short time."
Bangladesh are widely seen as favourites in the series, but Simmons' measured tone suggests a focus on performance over pressure. The first Test kicks off Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
