Phil Simmons isn't planning too much, he is trying to understand everything: Najmul Hossain Shanto

Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto revealed that the newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons isn’t taking the calls in the dressing room at the moment as he joined the team only recently. Former head coach Chandika Hathurusingha was removed from his position following a report of a physical spat with a player during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India and that led to BCB appointing Simmons.

The captain mentioned that the former West Indies cricketer is trying to understand everything and he already briefed how the team functions. Shanto added that by the time Simmons gets adjusted, the players know their role and will try to play accordingly in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.

Also Read: Najmul Shanto expects Mehidy Hasan Miraz to fill Shakib Al Hasan’s boots

“A lot of things have changed in the last five days. The new coach isn't planning too much. He is new here. He is trying to understand everything. I know as a captain what the team is trying to do. Players know their role, and I have shared the plan with the new coach. We intend to utilize our wealth of experience at this venue. I don't think we need to think too much about the previous coach and the new coach,” Shanto was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“He (Simmons) joined the team upon arrival. We spent a bit of time together. He wanted to know about the team environment. He is very new here. We are trying to understand each other, which I think will happen in the next one or two matches,” he added.

Also Read: ‘Wasn't a hard decision’ - Phil Simmons after being appointed as new Bangladesh coach

We had plans to send off Shakib, one of the world's best players: Shanto

Meanwhile, Bangladesh will miss the service of all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan in the first Test. Notably, the series against South Africa will be his last in the longest format and the team wanted to give him a tribute in Dhaka. However, it couldn’t happen due to the current political tension in Bangladesh.

“We had plans to send off one of the world's best players. All of us personally feel that it (his retirement) remains pending. It is unfortunate. It shouldn't have happened. We can't spend too much time talking about it on the day before the Test match,” Shanto said.