WTC final dream driving Bangladesh ahead of West Indies Tests: Simmons
Head coach Phil Simmons says Bangladesh are driven by the ambition to reach the ICC World Test Championship final as they prepare to face West Indies in Mirpur.
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has stated that the ambition to qualify for the ICC World Test Championship final is driving his squad forward ahead of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.
The Tigers currently occupy the fourth position in the ICC World Test Championship standings, boasting a point percentage of 55.56.
"I think there's that goal and that desire to play in the World Test Championship [final]," Simmons remarked ahead of the opening fixture in Mirpur.
After enduring a series defeat against Sri Lanka at the start of the current cycle, Bangladesh rallied strongly to sweep Pakistan 2-0 before achieving a historic result in a drawn series in Australia.
With two home series remaining—including the contest against West Indies—alongside an away tour of South Africa, the team remains firmly in contention for a spot in the summit clash.
"And this is the first time we've had that opportunity to be there. So, I think everyone is going to be up and ready for the Test matches," Simmons noted.
Reflecting on their previous assignment, a drawn one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, the coach maintained that his players handled the match situation exactly as intended despite missing out on a victory.
"I don't think it was a case where they didn't respond to the match situation. I think that they played it exactly how we wanted to play it," Simmons explained.