Phil Simmons, the newly appointed head coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, has arrived in Dhaka just a day after his official appointment by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). The legendary West Indian cricketer wasted no time and is set to join the team's training session for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa.

Simmons’ first assignment as Bangladesh’s head coach will be this two-match Test series, leaving him with limited time to prepare the squad. Despite the tight schedule, the 61-year-old brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, having had a stellar career both as a player and a coach.

BCB president Faruque Ahmed announced the appointment of Simmons on October 15, following the sacking of Chandika Hathurusingha. Simmons has been contracted until the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with the hope that he will elevate the performance of the Bangladesh team on the global stage.

A former all-rounder, Simmons played for the West Indies national team between 1987 and 1999, featuring in 26 Test matches and 143 ODIs. He accumulated 1,002 runs in Tests and 3,675 runs in ODIs, alongside taking a combined total of 87 wickets in both formats. Simmons also shone in domestic cricket, amassing 11,682 runs in 207 first-class matches and 8,929 runs in 306 List-A games, with 516 wickets to his name across all formats.

After retiring from playing in 2002, Simmons transitioned into coaching and quickly made a name for himself. His coaching journey, however, was not without challenges. In 2005, his early stint as head coach of Zimbabwe ended controversially when he was dismissed, with critics questioning his credentials for coaching a national team. But Simmons soon silenced the doubters. In 2007, he took over as head coach of Ireland, guiding the team to several impressive performances on the international stage.

Since then, Simmons has held coaching roles with Afghanistan, his native West Indies, and various top franchise teams around the world. His vast coaching experience makes him a valuable asset to the Bangladesh cricket team.