Simmons refuses to underrate New Zealand despite missing stars

Dhaka, 15 April-Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has dismissed the notion that New Zealand are arriving for the white-ball series with a weakened or "second-tier" squad, insisting that any side representing a country must be treated as its strongest available unit.

His comments came amid the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL), which have drawn several senior New Zealand players away from international duty. 

Captain Mitchell Santner, along with players like Glenn Phillips, Devon 
Conway, Finn Allen and Michael Bracewell, are currently engaged in franchise 
commitments. 

Others, including Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Matt 
Henry, are also absent from the touring squad.

Despite the high-profile absences, New Zealand have arrived in Bangladesh 
under the leadership of Tom Latham for a six-match white-ball series 
comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.

Speaking at a press conference today, Simmons said he does not endorse the 
concept of a second-string international team.

"I don't know of any second-best team. When a team comes as a representative 
of a country, that is their best," Simmons said.

He added that New Zealand's strength lies in their depth and development 
system, noting that many of the touring players have significant domestic 
experience and exposure across formats.

"These guys have played a lot of matches in domestic cricket in all formats. 
So they are quite solid and experienced cricketers," he said. "Some may not 
have played much international cricket, but all of them have played a lot of 
cricket in their lives. So there is no reason to consider them the second-
best team. That is not how international cricket works."

New Zealand's squad also features several players returning from injury, 
alongside young cricketers who previously toured Bangladesh with the New 
Zealand 'A' side, further underlining their blend of youth and experience, 
Simmons said.

"Some of their players toured Bangladesh with New Zealand and so they know 
about the condition."BSS