'Consistency is key': Phil Simmons on Bangladesh's transition, spin concerns and leadership options

Bangladesh began their preparation ahead of the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe at Sylhet on April 14. Phil Simmons, who will be in charge of the team until the 2027 World Cup, spoke to Cricbuzz before training and opened up about his coaching philosophy and plans to guide a side currently in transition following the retirement of several senior players.

Here are the excerpts:

Bangladesh are going through a transition period. What are the things you want to prioritise with some senior players having left the dressing room?

When a team is going through a transition period, the thing that needs to be prioritised is consistency, from the point of view of not chopping and changing players regularly. What we will try to build is a team that plays together. The more we play together, the more we understand each other, and the more success we'll have. So during the transition, consistency is key: one, in selection; two, in the way we play; and three, in our attitude and how we train.

How do you want to shape up the T20I unit, given the volume of T20 cricket coming up?

In T20s, I think we have the quality of players who can make an excellent team. When you look at the top, somebody like Emon is now coming in, and you know the quality is there, we've seen it in the West Indies. For me, it's about building the team. We have some T20Is coming up, then the Asia Cup and the World Cup. So to build for those, we need to settle on how we want to play T20 cricket. Some teams go hard up front, some at the death, we need to know our strength, and that's what we're going to work on leading up to the Asia Cup.

ODIs were once Bangladesh's biggest strength, but the team seems to be falling behind. How do you assess that?

I think why we are failing as an ODI unit is that we are not putting enough runs on the board. All the successful teams score 280 to 290, and if you go under that, you struggle against the bigger teams. I think our fielding and bowling are nearly where we want them to be. We just need to put runs on the board and for our batsmen to take responsibility every time they go out there.

Much focus is often placed on the PowerPlay, but are the middle overs (11-40) also a problem, especially with the intent to launch late?

I don't know who's saying it's about the PowerPlay. Yes, the PowerPlay is important, but more so in T20Is than ODIs. In ODIs, during the middle overs, you need to score consistently, five, six runs an over and above. You're right, we've been under pressure in that period. That's the biggest area we need to work on as a batting unit for ODI cricket.

Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah aren't playing ODIs anymore. How do you plan to fill that vacuum?

I think we have talented young players, but Shakib didn't become a star after two games. Mushfiqur or Mahmudullah didn't become stars after two games either; they took time. So the guys who are coming in to fill that void, as you're calling it, must be given the same time. If we're planning for the 2027 World Cup, now is the time to start. Let the players learn how to play those periods. Just like those three became stars for Bangladesh, there are players coming through who will become stars too.

What are the key areas you want to focus on with the Test team?

In Test cricket, the focus is on batting for long periods, batting for two days, batting for 100 overs. The team has shown 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.

What will your approach be against Zimbabwe?

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.

Do you feel Bangladesh isn't producing bowlers who turn the ball much, especially for Tests?

Well, you need spinners and there is a difference between spinners and slow bowlers. I like spinners. I don't like slow bowlers. So it's going to be a big focus moving forward. Mushtaq Ahmed is there, and he loves that too. I've played against him, I know how he prepared, how he bowled, and how he thought on the field. So that's something he will work on. The more you turn the ball, the more chances you have of getting wickets.

Do you follow domestic cricket in Bangladesh?

Yes, I've been seeing the scores and who's doing well.

How is Mohammad Salahuddin helping you track domestic performers?

Sallo (Salahuddin) has been brilliant. He knows all the players, and I'm getting to know most of them now. For the ones I don't know, he's been brilliant, we've been chatting regularly about players. He's watching the Dhaka Premier League while I'm not there, and he's keeping me up to date. He knows the Bangladesh system, and he knows the players. So it's good to have him there.

Are you starting to understand the Bangladesh system better?

I'm getting there. Remember, I was only there for a certain period. But as I go along, I'll continue to learn.

What's your take on franchise cricket and BCB's stance on releasing players? You've seen the benefits of league cricket while with Afghanistan. How do you plan to strike a balance?

As you said, I don't fully know the system yet. I have to understand the thinking of the relevant people regarding these leagues. One thing is clear, a lot of players play in these leagues and learn a lot from them. So how we balance it, we're going to sit down and discuss, all of us responsible, and figure out how to represent Bangladesh cricket while also allowing players to grow through these leagues. It's a big discussion, and one we'll have once I'm there.

You've spoken with some local coaches and want a pathway from age-group to the national team. Can you elaborate?

How we decide to play in the national team should be reflected in how all the other teams play. Maybe Under-19s are slightly different, but even they should know what the national team expects from its players. The more the A team and High Performance teams train and play the same way, the easier it is for a player to make the transition into the national side.

You've observed Najmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, and Litton Das leading from close quarters. How do you assess their captaincy?

I think Santo is a leader, his respect and his captaincy are noted in the dressing room. When you sit down, watch players, and listen, it's clear. I think Litton was brilliant in the T20 series in the Caribbean, the way he controlled the team, the bowlers, the atmosphere, and the calmness on the field. Miraz was also good in the games he captained there. So we have three good leaders. Honestly, there are four or five with leadership qualities so it's not just about a captain.

You've coached over 400 international matches. How do you view your coaching journey, and what's your philosophy?

My coaching journey has been excellent. It's been about trying to improve players and making sure they're getting better at what they're supposed to do for the team. My philosophy has always been: the harder you prepare, the easier the match day becomes. I also believe that the team is bigger than any one player, everyone must play for the team and be happy for each other. There've been good times and hard times, but mostly good. And I smile when I see that players I once coached are now doing well internationally.

How do you motivate a player going through a tough time?

All players are different. You have to know who to talk to, who to shout at, and who just needs a quiet word and some work. You have to assess what each player needs when they're not performing. When they're doing well, you don't need to be on them. But when they're struggling, that's when they need your help-as a coach and as a coaching group.