Tigers shifts focus solely on Netherlands series, not Asia Cup
Two captains with the trophy, Cricfrenzy
After a three-week training camp, Bangladesh are set to face the Netherlands in a three-match T20 series. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) quickly arranged this contest to ensure the team’s preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup remain on track.
However, for now, head coach Phil Simmons insists the focus is not on the Asia Cup in September but entirely on the Netherlands series.
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India were originally scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August for three ODIs and three T20Is, but the trip was cancelled due to a lack of government clearance.
That left Bangladesh with a lengthy break, which the management used to conduct fitness and skill camps. Still, questions remained whether such camps alone would be enough before a major tournament like the Asia Cup.
Players themselves wanted competitive action before flying to the UAE, and after discussions with several boards, Bangladesh finalized the Netherlands series. The three T20Is will be played in Sylhet on August 30, September 1, and September 3.
Understandably, Bangladesh will be aiming to use these matches as full preparation ahead of the Asia Cup. Captain Litton Das even hinted that the team may experiment if opportunities arise.
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Simmons, however, is keeping the Asia Cup at the back of his mind, prioritizing the upcoming series as a “dress rehearsal before the final.”
“To reach the final, you must first go through the initial steps. I’m not thinking about the Asia Cup now; that comes after this series. At the moment, we are playing an international series against an international side, and that’s all I’m focusing on,” speaking at a press conference, Simmons explained.
Bangladesh have been drawn in Group B of the Asia Cup alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. Should they progress to the Super Four, they may also face India and Pakistan.
Naturally, doubts remain whether a series against the Netherlands can be ideal preparation for such tough opposition. Simmons, though, downplayed such concerns.
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘ideal situation.’ For me, playing international cricket is always ideal, because you must maintain standards every time you step on the field. To win a series, we must play good cricket regardless of the opponent. What matters to me is not who we play against but how we play and continue to improve.”
