Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), supports Phil Simmons continuing as head coach beyond the Champions Trophy. Official discussions for a long-term contract will occur soon, as Simmons’ interim role began last October, culminating in a 3-0 T20I win against West Indies but an early Champions Trophy exit. Both BCB president Faruque Ahmed and Fahim back Simmons, emphasizing his strong rapport with local coaches and players. The board plans to renew contracts for Simmons and senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin until the 2027 World Cup, while also hiring additional fielding coaches to enhance team performance.
The extension of Simmons was among various subjects deliberated during a board meeting in Dhaka on Monday.
Appointed in October of the previous year in an interim capacity, Simmons has seen Bangladesh secure just one series victory during his four-month tenure—a clean sweep of 3-0 against West Indies in T20Is. The team faced an early exit from the Champions Trophy as well, having lost to both India and New Zealand. Nevertheless, Simmons has gained the confidence of key figures in the board, including BCB president Faruque Ahmed and director Fahim.
“The contracts for our head coach and senior assistant coach were set to expire by mid-March,” Fahim commented. “We are pleased with their performance, and we plan to reach out for renegotiation. If we can’t come to an agreement, we may need to explore other options. However, we are optimistic about achieving a mutual understanding. We are considering extending their contracts through to the 2027 World Cup.
“We will hold formal discussions with him shortly. I have observed his approach closely and am confident he will excel with the Bangladesh team. Additionally, I have noted the rapport he has built with local coaches and players, which gives me reassurance for his future here.”
The BCB is also poised to renew the contract of senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin, who was appointed on a temporary basis last November. A factor that has encouraged the board to consider extending the contracts of both Simmons and Salahuddin is their willingness to collaborate effectively. According to ESPNcricinfo, one of Simmons’ responsibilities was to provide flexibility for local coaching staff.
Moreover, the board has made the decision to extend the contract of spin-bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed and has accepted the resignation of Hannan Sarkar from his position as a selector. Fahim noted that the BCB is also focused on enhancing the fielding skills of the senior team in conjunction with the high-performance unit. Consequently, they are in discussions with various fielding coaches to join the BCB.