Exclusive: Phil Simmons Says Instilling Self-Belief Is His Biggest Challenge with Bangladesh

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons believes that inculcating self-belief among his charges is the biggest job at hand for him.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board recently extended Simmons' contract, ensuring he will guide the Tigers until the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup.

Simmons is among the most experienced coaches in international cricket, being one of only four to have coached an international team in 400 matches. He previously led teams like the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Ireland, gaining a reputation for building resilient squads that punch above their weight.

The experienced Caribbean coach, during a chat with SportBoom, insisted that he enjoyed his first stint with Bangladesh and is looking forward to leaving a mark after returning to Dhaka for his second tenure, which will begin with the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe this month.

PLAYERS ADAPTED TO THE CHANGE

Simmons said that during his first stint, he was happy to see players adapting to changing cultures in the dressing room while opting to play with a lot of freedom.

“I think [my] first stint as Bangladesh coach was good. The players adapted to the change and started playing with a lot of freedom, which I enjoyed. They showed resilience and fought till the end. So, I really enjoyed my first stint,” Simmons told SportsBoom.com. 

“The major challenge for Bangladesh—now and in the future—is self-belief. The belief that we can outplay any team, that we can go out and score 300 in ODIs or 200 in a T20, or bat for two days in a Test match. This self-belief, and the confidence that we can do it against top teams, is the biggest challenge."

Simmons also acknowledged that mental strength plays a crucial role in a team’s success, and he wants to ensure that his players believe they belong on the biggest stage.

“Mentality is everything. We can have the skill, but if we don’t believe we can beat the best, it won’t happen. That’s something I want to change,” he added. 

PLAYERS EXPECT MORE FROM THEMSELVES

In a country like Bangladesh, where cricket is known as a second religion, playing the sport can be challenging as players are burdened with fans' expectations. However, Simmons sees it differently.

“The expectations are always there, but I think we sometimes fail to realize that the players expect even more from themselves and their teammates than the public does. When you play for the national team, especially in a cricket-loving country like Bangladesh, you are always under the spotlight. But the players want to perform well and be heroes for their country."

"It doesn’t always happen as they want, but they work hard, and I can hear them talk about what it means to represent Bangladesh." 

“The head coach also emphasized that criticism is part of the game, but what matters is how players respond to it. “There will always be critics, but the best players use criticism as motivation. My job is to ensure they stay focused on their growth and development." 

ESTABLISHING A CLEAR PLAYING STYLE

Simmons stressed the importance of developing a distinct Bangladesh brand of cricket that remains consistent regardless of the opposition, whether it be a lower-ranked team like Zimbabwe or a higher-ranked side like Australia or India.

“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. What I want to establish is a clear playing style—a way of playing that remains consistent regardless of the opposition. When we face a team ranked below us, we should dominate. And when we face a higher-ranked team, we should play to win with a structured approach."

"This needs to start now. We showed glimpses of it in the second Test against the West Indies. If we can maintain that attitude in Test cricket, that’s what I want to see."

“In Test cricket, the focus is on batting for long periods—batting for two days, batting for 100 overs. The team has shown that they can do it. We did it in Pakistan, and we showed it in the West Indies, especially in the second Test. So, the ability is there. But it has to happen on a consistent basis."

"If we can regularly have one player scoring a hundred in every Test or every two Tests, we will be making progress. Our bowling is already strong."

Simmons further pointed out that success in cricket is a long-term process.

“Building a team takes time, and results won’t come overnight. But if we stay true to our philosophy and develop a winning mindset, Bangladesh cricket will reach new heights,” he concluded.