Bangladesh are at present fourth in the ICC WTC standings, with a point percentage of 55.56.
TBS Report
27 October, 2026, 02:40 pm
Last modified: 27 October, 2026, 02:50 pm
Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has said the desire to play in the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 final (WTC) is driving his team ahead of the Test series against West Indies, which begins tomorrow (28 October) in Mirpur.
Bangladesh are at present fourth in the ICC WTC standings, with a point percentage of 55.56.
"I think there's that goal and that desire to play in the World Test Championship [final]," Simmons said ahead of the first Test of the series.
After a series loss against Sri Lanka to start the current cycle of the WTC, Bangladesh bounced back to defeat Pakistan 2-0 before securing a historic win in a drawn series in Australia.
Two home series, including the one against West Indies, and an away tour of South Africa ensure that Bangladesh are still in with a chance to appear in the final.
"And this is the first time we've had that opportunity to be there. So, I think everyone is going to be up and ready for the Test matches," Simmons said.
Bangladesh's last Test assignment was a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, which ended in a draw.
Simmons believes Bangladesh should have beaten Afghanistan, but he rejected any suggestion that his players misread the situation, especially regarding how Bangladesh batters paced themselves in the second innings.
"I don't think it was a case where they didn't respond to the match situation. I think that they played it exactly how we wanted to play it," he said.
Series schedule
First Test, 28 October to 1 November, Mirpur
Second Test, 5 to 9 November, Sylhet