Simmons 'disappointed' by Australia whitewash

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons said on Sunday that it was "disappointing" to be swept 3-0 by Australia in the T20I series after a reasonable run in the format over the past two years.

Bangladesh played 11 T20I series and an Asia Cup during that period, winning six series and drawing another against New Zealand before taking on Australia.

Australia dominated the series, with Bangladesh only putting up a meaningful fight in the second game, which they lost by seven runs.

"I think for us, the way we've been playing over the last couple of T20 series, this is a disappointing series," Simmons told reporters after their third loss in Chattogram.

"To chase 190 here against an Australian team is always good, and to lose by seven runs is one thing. But in the first game and this game, especially with the batting, we haven't given anything to our bowlers to work with."

"Today there was no responsibility other than from the captain."

Simmons admitted Bangladesh missed Litton Das, who sat out with a muscle tear, but insisted others needed to step up.

"You miss his batting; Litton is class. But if he gets injured the day before a tournament, we still have to play properly. The only person who showed today that the pressure didn't get to him was the captain."

On batting in the middle overs, where Bangladesh struggled throughout the series: "I think we have improved between overs seven and 15 because when I first came, that was the biggest issue. In this series, especially today and in the first game, it was tough."

On Soumya Sarkar: "When you're not in the team, you have to be ready so that when you come in, you can do what we need and stay there. When you get the chance, you have to take it and hold on to it."

On Saif Hasan: "Saif showed what he can do in the second game. If he has to play, he has to play like that all the time. We need Saif to play like he did in the second game."

On Abdul Gaffar (dropped after two games): "It's not a matter of seeing enough of him. He didn't have a good game last time, but he is one that we look at for the future. It's about continuing to play him regularly."

Simmons emphasised the long-term approach: "The whole project is not about now; it's about a year from now when we start preparing for 2028. We know what Taskin does. We know what Fiz does. We don't know what Rana can do. What we're trying to do is find a seamer who can bat as well."

"If in six or eight months' time, Taskin and Fiz decide they're not playing T20s anymore, or they get injured, you must have that backup. If we don't play them now, when that time comes, we can't just throw them in."