Bangladesh Head Coach Phil Simmons has urged his side to focus on improving their overall standard in One-Day Internationals rather than becoming overly concerned with qualification scenarios for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The Tigers are preparing for a three-match ODI series against Pakistan in Dhaka, which marks their return to the 50-over format after a four-month break and comes at a crucial time as the team looks to rebuild momentum following a difficult run of results.
Bangladesh have lost four of their last five ODI series and currently sit 10th in the ICC ODI rankings with 74 rating points, just behind West Indies on 77 points.
To qualify automatically for the 14-team 2027 World Cup, teams must finish inside the top eight of the ICC ODI rankings by March 31, 2027. With Zimbabwe already guaranteed a place as co-hosts, Bangladesh are effectively 11th in the race for direct qualification, meaning they must climb at least two places to avoid the qualifying tournament.
However, Simmons insists the team’s focus remains firmly on improving performances rather than calculating qualification permutations.
Simmons outlines long-term plan to climb the rankings
“The work we are doing now is aimed at helping the team climb up the rankings table. Our ambition is not only to remain within the top eight to secure automatic qualification, but also to keep moving upward by consistently playing better cricket. While the long-term objective is to reach a stronger position in the rankings before the qualification cut-off date, the immediate priority is to improve the quality of cricket we are playing,” Simmons told reporters ahead of their series opener at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Monday, as reported by Cricbuzz.
Bangladesh are currently navigating a transitional phase, with a younger group of players emerging following the departure of several experienced campaigners from the national setup.
“The team may not currently have the same level of experience that was present when Bangladesh once reached the top of the ODI rankings, but our focus is on ensuring that the present group plays to the best of its ability,” he added.
“The ultimate aim is to improve our standard in ODI cricket rather than getting too caught up in qualification mathematics,” Simmons said.
Bangladesh moving on from T20 World Cup setback
The team is also working to move beyond the disappointment of missing the recent T20 World Cup, which Bangladesh withdrew from citing security concerns.
According to Simmons, the players were deeply affected by the situation but have gradually refocused on upcoming international assignments.
“I think we are at that stage now where we’re getting past that. It was very hurtful for the guys and I’m talking to them and it was very, very hurtful. But I think we’re getting to the stage, and I think the BCL helped with that little tournament, so we started to get back into the frame of playing 50-over cricket and thinking about these three matches here. So, I think we’re getting there,” he added.
Bangladesh recently used the Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) one-day competition as preparation for the Pakistan series.
Middle overs identified as Bangladesh’s key weakness
One of the major areas of focus for the coaching staff has been improving Bangladesh’s performance in the middle overs — a phase Simmons believes has consistently held the team back.
“The middle overs, yes, we’ve not been performing as well as we’d like. So, that’s one of the areas we are going to stress a lot – how many runs, singles, and boundaries we can get in those overs. It’s a crucial part of the 50-over game,” Simmons said.
To address this issue, Bangladesh have adjusted their batting strategy, including deploying Litton Das in the middle order rather than as an opener.
“First of all, it’s very challenging to keep for 50 overs and then open the batting. Litton is also one of our better players against spin, so placing him in the middle should help. As I said, the middle overs have been one of our Achilles’ heels. With his experience and skills, we hope to get what we need in that phase,” said Simmons.
“Litton has been comfortable batting anywhere. I think now he’s more relaxed with his game and sees it as an opportunity to do what the team needs from him,” he added.
Pakistan series a key step in Bangladesh’s ODI rebuild
All three matches of the upcoming ODI series will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with games scheduled for March 11, March 13, and March 15.
For Simmons, the series represents an early opportunity to test Bangladesh’s evolving ODI strategy as the team begins its long build-up toward the 2027 World Cup cycle.
Rather than focusing on ranking calculations, the Bangladesh coach believes consistent improvement on the field will ultimately determine whether the team secures automatic qualification.
