Bangladesh are set to begin a three-match T20 series against the Netherlands on 30 August in Sylhet, a contest seen as crucial preparation ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup. While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) brought in the Dutch side at short notice to fill a gap in the calendar, head coach Phil Simmons has made it clear: the team’s focus is firmly on this series, not on the tournament in September.
India were originally scheduled to tour Bangladesh in august for three ODIs and three T20s, but the plan was scrapped after the government withheld approval. That left Bangladesh with a lengthy break, which the management used for an intensive fitness and skills camp. Still, players such as Liton Das and Tanzid Hasan Tamim pushed for competitive action before the Asia Cup, leading to the hastily arranged series with the Netherlands.
The matches will all take place in Sylhet on 30 August, 1 September and 3 September.
Bangladesh go into the series as favourites, but Simmons warned that complacency would be dangerous. “If we lose to Australia, there will be criticism. If we lose to a team lower on the table, that doesn’t mean they’re a bad side,” he told reporters. “If we don’t play well on a given day, we deserve criticism. If we play well but they still beat us, then they deserve the praise.”
Simmons added that there is no question of underestimating the Netherlands, reminding everyone that they featured in the last two World Cups. “They are an international side. Nowadays, every team is a good team. You cannot underrate anyone like that in cricket. Everyone is playing good cricket. We also need to continue playing good cricket if we want to beat them.”
Despite the series being framed as preparation for the Asia Cup, Simmons stressed that the team must concentrate on the task at hand. “To reach the final, you first have to go through the initial steps. I’m not thinking about the Asia Cup now. The Asia Cup will come after this series. Right now, we are playing an international series against an international team. I am only thinking about this series.”
Bangladesh have been drawn into Group B of the Asia Cup alongside Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Progression would likely set up clashes with India and Pakistan in the Super Four, but Simmons insisted that playing any international opposition was valuable preparation.
One question mark heading into the opening match surrounds Shamim Hossain. The left-hander missed the start of the Sylhet camp due to illness and sat out the recent intra-squad game. Though he has resumed training, Simmons suggested he might need “a few more days” before being fully ready for competitive action.
On the other hand, Parvez Hossain Emon, who had suffered a shoulder injury during fielding in the intra-squad match, has been cleared to play. “Yes, Emon injured his shoulder. But now he is fine. He passed the fitness test. He is fit to play,” Simmons confirmed.