Follow UsBangladesh, after they drew the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, have been on the downswing. They lost the Colombo Test by an innings and 78 runs. It was thought that, in the ODIs, they would make a comeback. In the first ODI, they bowled Sri Lanka out for 244 and were 100/1 in 16.2 overs, chasing 245 to win.
But then, all of a sudden, the team lost eight wickets in a span of 25 runs and the match was done and suited with the Tigers eventually getting bowled out for 167 and losing the match by 77 runs.
But right after that loss, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons decided to leave the tour midway, although it is not related to the team’s performance, as he had an appointment with doctors in London, which he tried to change at the last minute, but could not.
"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 the Champions Trophy. Now the appointments with physicians cannot be changed. He tried to change it (appointment) but somehow he could not do that,” Bangladesh manager Nafees Iqbal was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
But Nafees also confirmed that the coach will miss just the second ODI scheduled for July 5th, but will return for the third and final ODI and the T20I leg of the tournament.
“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,” Iqbal said.