Sports Desk:

Even thoughthe official contract signing is still pending, it’s nearly certain that Phil Simmons will remain the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team until the 2027 ODI World Cup.

If everything goes according to plan, the former West Indies cricketer is expected to assume his new tenure before the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe next month.

BCB President Faruque Ahmed confirmed.

Simmons previously served as the interim head coach for six months, covering the recently concluded Champions Trophy. The BCB expressed satisfaction with his role during that period. They aimed to appoint a long-term head coach who would collaborate with local coaches to support their development — a factor that made Simmons their top pick.

It remains uncertain whether the official deal will be signed before the Zimbabweseries.

If not, senior assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin may step in to lead the team for the two-Test series against Zimbabwe. However, with negotiations with Simmons nearly complete, this alternative may not be necessary. The BCB President hinted that, if everything falls into place, Simmons will oversee the Zimbabwe series as head coach.