Simmons: Criticism inevitable if Bangladesh lose to Netherlands
Bangladesh coach Phill Simmons during today's press conference, Cricfrenzy
Bangladesh will begin their three-match T20I series against the Netherlands this Saturday. Ahead of the contest, the Tigers are approaching the challenge with caution. A slip-up against a so-called “smaller team” like the Netherlands could bring heavy criticism their way.
This series has been arranged as part of Bangladesh’s preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup. As a result, a defeat against the Dutch would also raise serious questions about their readiness for the continental tournament. However, head coach Phil Simmons admits that criticism is inevitable if the team loses.
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Simmons, speaking at the pre-match press conference, explained: “Even if we lose to a big side like Australia, there will be criticism. Losing to a lower-ranked team doesn’t mean they are a bad team. If we don’t play well on a given day, then we deserve the criticism. If we play well and still lose, then they (Netherlands) deserve the praise. We are not worried about who the opposition is; our focus is on performing well. If we do that, I believe we can win.”
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The coach also emphasized that the Netherlands cannot be underestimated. Despite being regarded as a “smaller side,” they are an experienced international team, having qualified for the last two World Cups.
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“We are playing three international T20 matches, not national-level games. They (Netherlands) have played in the previous two World Cups and performed well. In today’s cricketing world, every team is competitive. You cannot afford to underrate anyone. To beat them, we have to continue playing good cricket,” Simmons added.
