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'We know how to come back from that' - Phil Simmons after Zimbabwe defeat

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons urged his squad to maintain confidence following a 99-run loss to Zimbabwe in the opening match of the 2026 Afghanistan Tri-Nation Series in the United Arab Emirates. The defeat occurred while the team was missing former captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was sidelined by fever, and new skipper Litton Das, who was ruled out of the entire tournament after failing a pre-match fitness test.

Simmons noted that the players had a productive discussion about their performance, emphasizing that the team has the experience to recover from such a setback and is preparing mentally for their upcoming fixture against Afghanistan on October 21 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz returned to training in Abu Dhabi on October 19, his first appearance since the Test series, though Simmons indicated the player is still recovering and may need further rest. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal held a lengthy meeting with the players and staff in the dressing room after the Zimbabwe match, expressing dissatisfaction with the team's direction.

Simmons interpreted the president's message as a call to work harder and improve situational awareness, particularly regarding the batting collapse that followed a promising start.

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