Despite a series defeat to the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons insists the team’s morale remains high.
The line from a poem, “Strike the half-dead to awaken the living,” seems to embody Simmons’ current mindset. He believes the shock loss to UAE could serve as a wake-up call, reigniting the team ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan. Simmons is optimistic about Bangladesh’s chances of winning that series.
After the embarrassing loss, the team is now in Pakistan, where they held their first training session in Lahore on Monday evening. The three-match T20I series begins on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after training, the Bangladesh coach said the defeat in UAE hasn’t shaken the team’s confidence. In fact, he believes the loss might prove to be a positive turning point.
“Losing the series in the UAE was tough. But sometimes these moments wake a team up. Hopefully, this will energize us. Our morale is excellent.”
“The spirits are high, and the boys are in a very good mindset. I believe we have a great chance to win this series. People are saying Pakistan isn’t in top form. But it all comes down to what happens on the day. We have a good chance to win.”
This training session also marked the official start of Shaun Tait’s journey with Bangladesh as the new fast bowling coach. Simmons is thrilled with the addition.
“I think Shaun Tait is a great addition—not just for the bowlers but for the whole team.”
Tait recently worked with Karachi Kings during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), while spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed was with Peshawar Zalmi. Simmons hopes to use insights from both of them to plan better for this series.
“We’ve just arrived and will assess the conditions. Shaun was part of the PSL, so was Mushtaq. We’ll take their input and make decisions accordingly.”
Due to injuries, Bangladesh will be without their most experienced pacers—Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman. Fast bowler Nahid Rana has also opted out of the tour.
Although Mustafizur returned with three wickets in his final IPL match, Simmons admitted that his absence would be deeply felt.
“Of course we’ll miss him (Mustafiz). He’s now our senior seamer. And the way he bowled in the IPL—we’ll certainly feel that void. But it’s also a chance for someone else to step up in this series.”
“Someone has to take on that responsibility. Hopefully, one of the bowlers will step forward and say, ‘I’ll fill Fizz’s shoes this series.’”
Pakistan will also be missing some key players. Shaheen Shah Afridi isn’t in the squad, and both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped in the previous T20 series. Yet Simmons isn’t viewing this as an easy challenge.
“When senior players are missing, young players step up. There’s always someone looking to prove themselves. We can’t take anyone lightly. Even without them, we still play against eleven players, and that’s where our focus is.”
Pakistan recently lost a T20 series to a weakened New Zealand side and suffered defeat against South Africa before that. Bangladesh last beat Pakistan in T20s during the 2016 Asia Cup. They also won at the 2023 Asian Games, although Pakistan didn’t field their national team there.
When asked if this might be the best time for Bangladesh to beat Pakistan in a T20 series, Simmons replied with cautious optimism.
“I don’t know if this is the best time to beat Pakistan in T20s. But it’s definitely the time for us to play our best. If we win the series, great. But Pakistan are always a dangerous team. You can’t take anything for granted.”
