Family Emergency Forces Bangladesh Coach Phil Simmons to Exit Mid-Series; India Tour in August Also in Doubt

The Bangladesh cricket team, already reeling from back-to-back defeats on their Sri Lanka tour, has been dealt another blow. Head coach Phil Simmons has abruptly left the team mid-series and flown to London due to a family emergency and a pre-scheduled medical appointment.

Coach Leaves Amid Struggles

Bangladesh, who lost the Test series 1-0 and then suffered a heavy defeat in the first ODI, is now temporarily without their head coach. Simmons’ sudden departure adds to the team’s woes as they try to regroup for the remainder of the series.

Why Simmons Left

Team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed that Simmons had informed the board about his medical appointment in advance.

“He had a doctor's appointment scheduled since February, which was earlier missed due to the Champions Trophy. He attempted to reschedule, but it couldn’t be moved. The BCB was informed beforehand and plans were made accordingly,” said Iqbal.

Simmons is expected to return to Sri Lanka on July 7 and rejoin the squad for the third ODI and the subsequent three-match T20I series.

Bangladesh’s Disappointing Tour So Far:

• Test Series: Lost 1-0 (after drawing the first Test)

• ODI Series: Trailing 0-1 after a poor performance in the first match

With morale already low, the absence of a head coach during a critical period is seen as a major disruption to the team’s rhythm and preparation.

India’s August Tour May Be Cancelled

In a potential further setback, there is uncertainty surrounding India’s tour of Bangladesh, scheduled for August. According to sources, deteriorating internal conditions in Bangladesh could jeopardize the proposed ODI and T20 series. While no official cancellation has been announced, the safety concerns may lead to India reconsidering the tour altogether.

What’s Next for Bangladesh?

• Simmons returns July 7

• Two more ODIs and a T20I series remain on the Sri Lanka tour

• The board faces mounting pressure to stabilize team performance and manage future tours amidst growing challenges