Bangladesh Coach Phil Simmons Briefly Leaves Sri Lanka Tour for Medical Reasons

Phil Simmons, the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team, has departed from the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka to attend a pre-scheduled medical appointment in London.

Simmons is heading to London for a medical appointment © AFP

Contrary to speculation, his trip is not related to a performance review by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Simmons had arranged the appointment prior to the tour.

Simmons is expected to rejoin the team in time for the third One Day International (ODI) match of the series, scheduled to arrive back in Sri Lanka on July 7th. Following the ODI series, Bangladesh is slated to play three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.

Team manager Nafees Iqbal confirmed the coach's brief absence. "Phil Simmons is going to tour for two days for personal reasons," Iqbal stated. "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 experienced mixed results on the tour thus far. After a strong performance in the first Test match, which ended in a draw, they lost the second Test and, consequently, the series. The team also suffered a batting collapse in the first ODI, resulting in a loss.