Bangladesh- South Africa Series
Simmons takes inspiration from Eng-Pak Test for second Test comeback
|| CF DESK ||
Bangladesh faces a must-win scenario in the Chattogram Test to avoid a series defeat but South Africa has already hinted at a big total, surpassing 300 runs on the first day.
Despite the big South African start, Bangladesh remains optimistic, with head coach Phil Simmons drawing inspiration from a match where England scored 800 runs against Pakistan.
At the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, South Africa, batting first after winning the toss, put up 307 runs for the loss of two wickets. Simmons is urging the team to focus on their tasks rather than worrying about the Proteas' potential 500-run target on day two.
In the post-day press conference, Simmons referenced the recent Test match in Multan, where Pakistan scored 556 runs in the first innings yet lost by an innings margin, after England posted a massive 823 in reply.
"Right now, the team's focus is to come back tomorrow and take early wickets to put ourselves in a strong position. We’ve seen Test matches where one team scores 500 and the other scores 800, like in Pakistan, and the match still yielded a result," Simmons said.
“We have to take what happened today and see how we can make adjustments tomorrow to take a few more wickets early on. Winning a Test match should always be the primary focus, then everything else."
South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs made their maiden Test hundreds in a second-wicket partnership of 201 after the visitors won the toss and chose to take first use of a good batting pitch.
Simmons isn’t disheartened by the Proteas' robust start.
“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. It was a solid batting pitch, and our bowlers worked hard and bowled well. We missed a few chances which could’ve made a difference, taking four or five wickets instead. But it’s just been a tough day. I’ve seen rough days from the other side too. So, no, I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed," he concluded.