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"Draw In Galle Was A Solid Result" Coach Happy With Bangladesh Ahead Of 2nd Test Vs SL

Akshita Patel

Bangladesh head coach on team's 1st Test performance vs SL [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]Bangladesh head coach on team's 1st Test performance vs SL [Source: @BCBtigers/X.com]

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons is feeling confident ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka. After drawing the first match in Galle, Simmons said he was happy with how the team started the series strongly, something that doesn’t happen often for Bangladesh in Test cricket.

In the first Test of the 2-game series held in Galle, rain caused a significant loss of playing time. In a 296-run chase on Day 5, Sri Lanka lost 4 wickets for 72 runs, and the match ended in a draw.

Phil Simmons Backs Bangladesh For 2nd Test Vs SL

Despite the draw result, Bangladesh’s head coach, Phil Simmons, is satisfied with the team’s efforts. Talking to the press and quoted by Cricbuzz, Simmons said that Bangladesh have a tendency to have a slow start to a series. However, in Galle, they hit the ground running, and he is happy with this change of attitude. 

''There's a lot of confidence from the way we played. Often, we're a bit slow to start in the first Test of a series, but this time, we hit the ground running. That gives us a lot of belief going into the second Test," Simmons said.

Not only that, but Bangladesh are now looking to play even better in the second match, which will be held in Colombo. Simmons said the team spirit is high and the players are both mentally and physically ready.

''The morale has been excellent from the start. The guys did their work in Dhaka so that we could hit the ground running here. The draw in Galle was a solid result, and we've recovered well in the three days since. Spirits are high," he added.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz Likely To Play Second Test

Phil Simmons, in his press conference, said the pitch in Colombo looks decent, but Bangladesh will inspect it again before deciding on the playing XI. One key decision will be whether to play 3 seamers or 3 spinners. 

"It looks like a good wicket so far. I haven't seen it today, but from what we saw yesterday, it looked decent. Tomorrow, we'll come in and look to play as hard as we did in Galle. There are a few little things we want to improve on, and it's important that we either maintain or elevate the level we showed in the first Test," Simmons concluded.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz is expected to return to the team after missing the first Test due to a fever. If Mehidy plays, young off-spinner Nayeem Hasan, who took 5 wickets in the first Test, might miss out.