In a development that initially sparked speculation, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons is temporarily stepping away from the team’s Sri Lanka tour—not for performance-related reasons, but to attend a long-pending medical appointment in London. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Simmons’ brief absence is purely personal and pre-approved.
Simmons, the former West Indies opener, is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka on July 7, ahead of the third ODI. Bangladesh is currently engaged in a multi-format series against Sri Lanka, with three T20Is scheduled after the ODI leg concludes.
“Phil Simmons is going to be away for two days due to personal reasons,” team manager Nafees Iqbal told reporters on Friday. “He had a doctor’s appointment back in February, which he missed because of the Champions Trophy commitments. Unfortunately, the appointment couldn’t be rescheduled, despite his efforts. The board was informed well in advance, and everything was planned accordingly.”
This brief exit comes at a challenging time for Bangladesh. After a promising start in the Test series—drawing the first Test—they faltered in the second, conceding the series 1-0. The team also endured a sudden collapse in the opening match of the ODI series, raising concerns about consistency and form.
While questions had begun circulating about Simmons being recalled for a coaching review by BCB President Aminul Islam, credible sources and team officials have clarified that no such review is taking place at this time. Instead, Simmons’ focus remains on his health, with plans to rejoin the squad refreshed and ready for the remaining matches.
The team and coaching staff are optimistic about bouncing back in the upcoming games, with Simmons expected to resume duties seamlessly upon his return.
