Fielding Lapses Led to Defeat, Says Bangladesh Coach Phil Simmons After UAE Loss

Simmons blames missed catches for second T20I loss, holds off on batting order changes, and remains uncertain about Pakistan tour.

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons expressed disappointment with his team's fielding performance following their defeat to the United Arab Emirates in the second T20I. Speaking to the media after the match, Simmons stated that both teams batted well, but fielding errors were the decisive factor in the loss.

“Look, it’s a game between two teams. They batted really well, and so did we,” Simmons said. “But we missed several catches — and that’s what kept them in the game.”

While acknowledging issues in the field, Simmons ruled out making immediate changes to the batting lineup. “I’ll think about it tomorrow. We’ve just lost the match, so it’s not the right time to talk about changing the batting order,” he explained.

Simmons also spoke about the team’s ongoing preparations, especially in the context of the potential Pakistan tour. “We’re trying to get some matches under our belt here and prepare for what we want to achieve in Pakistan. That’s our current focus,” he said.

When asked whether a bowling coach would accompany the team during the Pakistan tour, Simmons responded, “If we go to Pakistan, then we’ll have one there.”

However, the former West Indies cricketer made it clear that the tour itself is still uncertain. “I know nothing about the Pakistan tour,” Simmons added.