Sports Desk:

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons played down any talk of a potential whitewash ahead of their upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe, saying the team is focused on winning “one day at a time” after a lengthy break from red-ball cricket.

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the first Test, the coach said the preparation in Sylhet had gone well following a four-month gap since their last Test appearance.

“The facilities here have been excellent – everything is close by, and we’ve managed to get a lot of work done in a short space of time,” he said.

Asked about the conditions, he dismissed the idea of preparing a seam-friendly track specifically to target Zimbabwe.

“We want to play the kind of cricket we believe in, and that means preparing a proper Test wicket and going out there to win,” he said.

The coach also praised veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who recently retired from white-ball cricket, hinting at a renewed focus on red-ball success.

“He’s working extremely hard. It’s great to hear he’s done well against Zimbabwe before, but we’re starting fresh,” he said.

With no left-arm pacers in the squad, the coach acknowledged it could give Zimbabwe an edge but remained optimistic.

When asked about a potential whitewash, he remained cautious. “We need to win the first day, then the Test, and then we can talk about the series,” he said.

He also backed Bangladesh’s openers to come good, citing improved form in the nets.

Simmons, celebrating a birthday this week, said his only wish was “a win in the first Test.”