Phil Simmons’ contract was recently extended by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The experienced Caribbean coach will now be at the helm of the Bangladesh men's national cricket team until the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup. Daily Sun’s Zaigum Azam spoke candidly with him about his plans for his new tenure. Here are the excerpts:

Daily Sun: How would you describe your opening stint as Bangladesh head coach?

Simmons: I think it was good. The players adapted to the change and started playing with a lot of freedom, which I enjoyed. They showed resilience and fought till the end. So, I really enjoyed my first stint.

Daily Sun: What was the major challenge you faced as Bangladesh head coach?

Simmons: The major challenge for Bangladesh—now and in the future—is self-belief. The belief that we can outplay any team, that we can go out and score 300 in ODIs or 200 in a T20, or bat for two days in a Test match. This self-belief, and the confidence that we can do it against top teams, is the biggest challenge.

Daily Sun: Are you aware of the expectations placed on you, and how do you manage them in the dressing room?

Simmons: The expectations are always there, but I think we sometimes fail to realize that the players expect even more from themselves and their teammates than the public does. When you play for the national team, especially in a cricket-loving country like Bangladesh, you are always under the spotlight. But the players want to perform well and be heroes for their country. It doesn’t always happen as they want, but they work hard, and I can hear them talk about what it means to represent Bangladesh.

Daily Sun: What are the major areas you want to work on with the Test squad?

Simmons: In Test cricket, the focus is on batting for long periods—batting for two days, batting for 100 overs. The team has shown that they can do it. We did it in Pakistan, and we showed it in the West Indies, especially in the second Test. So, the ability is there. But it has to happen on a consistent basis. If we can regularly have one player scoring a hundred in every Test or every two Tests, we will be making progress. Our bowling is already strong.

Daily Sun: Do you feel the batting unit is letting the team down in the longer format, given that the bowlers are winning matches?

Simmons: I don’t think it’s a technical issue. It’s about self-belief—believing that every time they step out, they can perform. Take someone like Mominul Haque, for example—he has 14 Test centuries, so you can’t say he is technically weak. The challenge is mental—having the belief to do it consistently, day in and day out.

Daily Sun: You will be playing a Test series against Zimbabwe. Will your approach be to dominate them since they are ranked below Bangladesh, or will you focus on experimenting with changes?

Simmons: It doesn’t matter who we’re playing. What I want to establish is a clear playing style—a way of playing that remains consistent regardless of the opposition. When we face a team ranked below us, we should dominate. And when we face a higher-ranked team, we should play to win with a structured approach. This needs to start now. We showed glimpses of it in the second Test against the West Indies. If we can maintain that attitude in Test cricket, that’s what I want to see.