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'It's a mental thing' – Phil Simmons highlights Bangladesh's main concern ahead of Afghanistan Test

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has pointed to psychological adaptation as the primary hurdle for his squad as they prepare to take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test scheduled for October 9-13, 2026. Several members of the touring party recently arrived in the UAE following their participation at the Asian Games in Japan, leaving them with very little preparation time in the region due to rain interruptions during their prior assignment.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group trained locally under intense heat and drew a two-day practice match against the UAE on Monday. Simmons acknowledged that transitioning quickly into the demanding environment of Abu Dhabi is largely a test of mental resilience for the newly arrived athletes.

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