Bangladesh eye WTC final berth

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has highlighted his team’s ambition to reach the 2025/27 World Test Championship final ahead of their two-Test series against West Indies, beginning in Mirpur today.

Bangladesh currently sit fourth in the standings with a 55.56% points percentage. After losing to Sri Lanka, they responded with a 2-0 series victory over Pakistan and a historic drawn series in Australia, keeping their qualification hopes alive.

Simmons believes Bangladesh should have beaten Afghanistan in their previous Test, which ended in a draw, but defended the team’s approach. Missed chances and an improving pitch, he said, ultimately cost them victory.

The former West Indies all-rounder also reflected on his successful 2021 tour of Bangladesh, when he coached the visitors to a 2-0 series win. However, Simmons insisted his loyalties now lie firmly with Bangladesh and stressed that defeating his former team remains the priority.