The coach stresses that Bangladesh must improve their batting to recover from the first Test defeat.
04 November, 2026, 06:25 pm
Last modified: 04 November, 2026, 06:34 pm
Photo: TBS Collage
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has expressed concern over left-arm spinner Taijul Islam’s recent form, saying the team may have to consider his performance when selecting the playing XI for the must-win second Test against West Indies.
Bangladesh will face West Indies in the second and final Test at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from Thursday (5 November), seeking to level the series after losing the opening match by eight wickets in Dhaka.
Taijul has taken only five wickets in his last four matches, a return that has raised concerns within the team ahead of the decisive encounter.
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“Yes, it’s always concerning because he’s one of the major spinners we have in the team. So, it has to be concerning. I’m sure it’s concerning for him too,” Simmons said at a pre-match press conference in Sylhet today (4 November).
The coach said Taijul’s recent performance was a concern for both the player and the team, given his importance to Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
Asked whether a reported shoulder injury had affected the spinner’s performance, Simmons said the team’s medical staff would be better placed to clarify the matter.
“I know he had a little bit of trouble in the UAE, but since then, he’s training well. He’s bowling full bore and bowled in practice yesterday, so it doesn’t seem to be affecting him,” he said.
Simmons admitted that Taijul’s form would be considered when the team finalises its playing XI for the second Test.
If dropped, Taijul would face such a decision for the first time since 2015.
The coach also said Bangladesh must improve their batting to bounce back after the opening-Test defeat.
Bangladesh have struggled with the bat in the four matches since their historic Test victory over Australia in Darwin.
“Since Darwin, we haven’t batted particularly well. We showed what we’re capable of there if the determination and the batting are there, but since then, we have not batted well in the four matches we’ve played,” Simmons said.
He said the players had continued to work hard but had failed to translate their efforts into performances during matches.
“We have to make sure that we get to that level again, where we put it in place in matches and not just work hard outside,” he added.
Simmons described the Sylhet pitch as a good cricket wicket, saying it appeared similar to the surface Bangladesh played on during their previous home series against Pakistan.
Regarding the possible inclusion of domestic batter Amite Hasan, who recently scored another double century, Simmons said the team management would finalise its combination after practice in consultation with the chief selector.
Amite has joined the squad as a replacement, but Simmons indicated that his inclusion in the playing XI was unlikely.
“He’s come in as a replacement, so it’s not that likely,” he said.
The coach also backed Bangladesh’s spin attack despite its recent struggles, saying the bowlers remained one of the team’s strengths.
He acknowledged that the spinners had not bowled well in recent matches but said the team continued to trust them.
Simmons also admitted that Bangladesh’s fielding had let the team down in the opening Test, particularly after dropping several catches.
“We didn’t do ourselves justice in that game because we dropped too many catches at this level. But I don’t think that will happen like that again,” he said.
Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das did not take part in the full practice session on the eve of the match after having some concerns during training.
Simmons said Liton had followed his usual pre-match routine, completing fielding drills before taking rest.
The coach insisted that Bangladesh had no injury problems within the current squad and remained confident ahead of the must-win match.
Asked whether he had a special plan to surprise West Indies, Simmons said: “Always have to have something up the sleeve. So we’ll keep it up the sleeve until tomorrow.”
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Source: www.bing.com
