Bangladesh cricket head coach Phil Simmons has departed Sri Lanka for a scheduled medical consultation in London, missing the team’s second ODI against Sri Lanka on Saturday. Contrary to speculation about a performance review summoned by BCB President Aminul Islam, Simmons’ trip is solely for a pre-arranged doctor’s appointment, Cricbuzz reported. He is expected to rejoin the squad for the series finale on July 8.
Bangladesh trails 0-1 in the ODI series following a shocking collapse in the opener, where they lost seven wickets for just five runs while chasing 245, marking the worst such collapse in men’s ODI history. Pacer Taskin Ahmed described the defeat as “unexpected,” highlighting the pivotal moment when Najmul Hossain Shanto’s run-out and Tanzid Hasan Tamim’s dismissal in the same over triggered the meltdown. Bangladesh, having lost the Test series 0-1 earlier, will look to bounce back before the three-match T20I series begins on July 10.
