Bangladesh Coach Phil Simmons Leaves Sri Lanka Tour for Pre-Scheduled Medical Check-up

Simmons Departs Sri Lanka Tour for Medical Consultation

Phil Simmons, the head coach of Bangladesh, has left the team's tour of Sri Lanka due to a scheduled medical appointment in London. Contrary to speculation, this departure is not related to a performance review by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

Simmons is heading to London for a medical appointment © AFP

Simmons is expected to rejoin the squad on July 7, in time for the third One Day International (ODI) of the series. Following the ODI series, Bangladesh is scheduled to play three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Sri Lanka.

Team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed the coach's departure, stating, "Phil Simmons is going to tour for two days for personal reasons. He had a doctor's appointment in February but he missed that due to Champions Trophy. Now the appointment with the physicians cannot be changed. He tried to change it (appointment) but somehow he could not do that. Before the start of the tour, he spoke with the board in this regard (meeting the physicians) and planned accordingly. He is leaving today and will return on 7 July."

The Bangladesh team has faced mixed fortunes on the tour so far. While they secured a draw in the first Test match, they lost the second Test and the series. They also suffered a batting collapse in the first ODI, resulting in a loss.